For most 21-year-olds, their first experience of travelling abroad without their parents is filled with foam parties, budget hotels and questionable cocktails.
For two soldiers in The Royal Regiment of Scotland, their first solo trip is vastly different.
Privates Ethan Wyper and Allan Beveridge are preparing to leave their hometowns for the very first time this month, to support Officer Cadets in an intense training course in Bavaria, Germany.
The course, which is the Officer Cadets final exercise before commissioning as Army Officers from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, is used to evaluate their abilities to fight and lead in tactical operations.
Ahead of his first ever venture outside of the UK, Private Ethan Wyper from Kilmarnock said: “This my first time abroad, which is exciting in itself. Adding in that the purpose is to see what I’m training towards, in terms of reaching an Officer position, is really motivational.
“I left school at 16 and went to straight into working, so I didn’t have any opportunities to travel. The fact I’m about to spend a week in Germany, training hard with my fellow soldiers – and hopefully getting to experience some of the local culture – is something I never thought I’d have the chance to do.”
For Private Allan Beveridge from Edinburgh, the training exercise also gives an opportunity to travel abroad that he otherwise may not have had. He added: “I left school quite young and knew I wanted to travel to new places and see new things but before joining the Army, I didn’t even have a passport and the furthest I’d ever travelled to was Wales.
“The Regiment helped me through the process of getting a passport, which I’m hugely grateful for, and now I have the opportunity to travel to places I only ever imagined before while also furthering my career in the Army.”
Major Rob Weir, Officer Commanding 5SCOTS, said: “Exercises such are these are crucial for both the professional and personal development of our soldiers.
“Life in The Royal Regiment of Scotland is about far more than simply being battle ready. It’s about helping each individual to be the very best versions of themselves and to broaden their experiences through opportunities they may otherwise not have access to.”
The intense week-long trip will include simulated ambushes with plastic explosives, patrols and other gruelling situational exercises.
Giving Scottish soldiers a chance to see the demanding training first hand, the experience will allow them to understand the challenges that lie ahead as they rise through the ranks of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
On Thursday (28 March), nationwide pet retailer Jollyes will be putting in place a six day ban on the sale of rabbits to make sure shoppers don’t make an impulsive purchase over the Easter period.
The UK’s second largest pet retailer will ‘paws’ the sale of bunnies from Thursday 28 March until Tuesday 2 April 2024.
The bunny ban, which Jollyes has led for decades, prevents the possibility of unwanted rabbits being abandoned after the Easter holidays.
The restriction will apply to every one of Jollyes’ 101 UK pet stores.
Phil Turner-Naylor from Jollyes said: “Pets bring enormous joy and companionship to people throughout their lifetime, and they deserve to be looked after well. Rabbits can live up to 15 years and we recognise that is a serious commitment by pet owners.
“Jollyes is ‘the Pet People’ because we’re passionate about animals. We want to ensure that families are buying pets at the right time for the right reasons and believe that lifelong responsibility should be considered, researched, and prepared for.”
While rabbits won’t be available for sale during the Easter period, customers can still hop to Jollyes as it will be offering plenty of pet-friendly Easter treats and toys.
Of course, as all responsible dog owners know, it will also be reminding pooch parents of the dangers of theobromine in regular chocolate, which is toxic for dogs.
Changes to proposed regulation and improvements in governance standards are urgently needed to ensure private sector defined benefit (DB) pension schemes remain an active and thriving part of the pensions landscape and work in the best interest of scheme members, MPs say today.
The Work and Pensions Committee report concludes that despite a steady decline in number in recent years, DB pension schemes are still of critical importance to both savers and the UK economy.
It warns however that two decades of regulatory and policy caution from DWP and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) have led to a low-risk approach to investment that threatens to inadvertently finish off the few remaining DB schemes still open to new members.
With an improvement in funding levels over the past decade presenting new challenges and opportunities for schemes, the report calls for a fresh approach both to funding regulation and the treatment of surpluses in pension and compensation schemes.
Among recommendations on the latter, the report calls for DWP and TPR to look at ways of ensuring the reasonable expectations of scheme members for benefit enhancement are met where there has been a history of discretionary increases.
On the new funding regime proposed by the Government to come into force in September, the Committee’s inquiry heard concerns that open schemes would be forced to de-risk unnecessarily, potentially leading to premature closure.
The Committee calls for the Government to address such concerns in the final version of the Funding Code and for TPR’s objective to protect the Pension Protection Fund to be replaced with a new duty to protect future, as well as past, service benefits.
PPF reserves now stand at £12 billion and the report calls for legislation to allow the levy to be reduced to zero and for compensation levels to be improved.
To encourage better governance, the Committee welcomes the introduction of a trustee register to improve TPR oversight. The report notes TPR’s view that consolidation, including through pension Superfunds, is one of the main ways to improve governance, and calls for the required legislation as soon as possible.
Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:“Defined benefit pension schemes are hugely important to savers planning for a comfortable retirement and for the UK economy.
“The improvement in scheme funding levels presents opportunities for both to benefit, but a new approach to regulation and governance is needed to protect the best interest of scheme members and allow still open schemes to thrive.
“The flexibility afforded by the much-improved financial position of the PPF, which we applaud, gives the Government an opportunity to ensure open schemes are not hindered by overly cautious restrictions imposed by regulations.
“While many trustee boards operate to high standards, new standards for trustees can foster confidence that this is the case across DB schemes.”
The report follows up on some of the points raised during the Committee’s previous inquiry into DB pensions with Liability Driven Investments, which examined the events of autumn 2022. The Committee heard that a repeat of the events was now unlikely given the steps taken to improve resilience.
A full list of the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations is available on Pp 54–58 of the report.
Major exhibition inspires over three days at Scottish Parliament
MORE THAN 50 MSPs including three party leaders have put their names to a pledge that commits them to protect and support Scotland’s vital fishing industry and coastal communities.
Among the signatories to the pledge include MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Ash Regan, over half of all backbench MSPs, Anas Sarwar, Edinburgh Western’s Alex Cole-Hamilton and Douglas Ross, Scottish party leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives respectively, as well as senior figures from the SNP and Alba.
The backing comes as the sector is represented by a moving exhibition featuring portraits and accounts of those working in and around fishing, including vessel owners, skippers, deckhands, scientists and analysts.
“Pride in the Seas” is an exhibition and campaign run by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in partnership with renowned photographer Ian Georgeson and was held in the Garden Lobby at Holyrood between 19 and 21 March.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands said: “The spirit and vitality of our fishing industry and coastal communities is something of which we should all be rightly proud, and which is powerfully captured by this exhibition.
“The Scottish fishing industry is world renowned and remains at the forefront of sustainable fishing practices. It helps support many jobs around the country and is embedded in our culture.
“The Scottish Government shares the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s vision of a fishing industry that endures and thrives.
“Through robust evidence and marine planning we will continue to work with all sectors to manage the increased competition for our shared marine space, supporting commitments to net zero, protection of the marine environment, energy security, food security, and thriving communities.”
The pledge signed by politicians called on enhanced support of Scotland’s fishing communities, fishing’s role in food security, the importance of protection against loss of access to key fishing grounds and ensuring that policies recognise and support fishing’s role in producing low carbon, healthy and nutritious food.
Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive with the SFF, said: “It has been heartening to see so many MSPs and their teams engage very positively with us over the last few days.
“Given Scotland’s geography, many have coastal fishing communities within their constituencies and know first hand of the pressures that they – and the industry as a whole – has been under in recent years. It was great also to have MSPs from more urban and inland parts of Scotland recognise the importance of our sector, and to give us their support.
“Fishing has a vital role in food security and the country’s net zero aspirations – and the provision of sustainably sourced and low-carbon protein has never been more vital.
“This exhibition taps into the inherent pride and responsibility that those working in fishing feel and whilst there will always be things we can improve on, it is characterised by responsible, innovative businesses seeking to improve conditions for the next generation.”
Following its debut, the exhibition will be available for tour across towns, schools, museums and other public facilities around the country.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation was established to represent a sustainable, prosperous fishing industry in Scotland.
It was borne in response to the need for greater political engagement when the UK joined the EU and in adapting to the first oil exploration which saw the proliferation of other activities in the historic fishing grounds of the North Sea.
Fighting for the interests of 450 fishing vessels in Scotland’s fleet, the federation is made up of eight Associations which represent the sector from small creel boats to large pelagic and white fish trawlers.
The Pledge:
I pledge to support Scotland’s fishing communities by:
Supporting fishermen at sea and their colleagues ashore as a vital part of Scotland’s food story
Being a champion of the healthy, nutritious and sustainable food they produce
Being proud of this low carbon, climate-smart food sector
Supporting the call for strong, focused science to increase understanding
Backing the sector to get a fair deal in our crowded seas
Agreeing that food security is as important as energy security
Working with fishermen and fishing communities to ensure that they don’t just survive but will thrive in the decades to come.
I have Pride in our Seas, and all those who feed us from them.
Pride in the Seas case studies:
Trevor Spouse, Skipper in Eyemouth
Mark Anderson, Skipper, and son Nicol, Deckhand, in Shetland
Colin Stephen, Skipper in Peterhead
Mark Robertson, part-owner, and sons Paul and Adam, Skippers, in Fraserburgh
Willie John McLean, Skipper in Mallaig
Erin Mackenzie, Deckhand in Mallaig
Dr Steve Mackinson, Chief Scientist, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association
Dr Paul Macdonald, Senior Fisheries Analyst, Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation
Elena Balestri, Senior Fisheries Policy and Science Manager, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
The latest additions to Police Scotland’s canine search capability – Digital Evidence Detection Dogs – are currently being trained before they are deployed operationally.
The dogs will assist officers investigating a crime where a digital device, such as a smartphone, tablet and laptop, may have been used and is believed to have been hidden.
The trainee dogs – Zen, a rescue Springer Spaniel, Xena, a Springer Spaniel/Labrador cross, Max a Sprocker, gifted by the previous owners who wanted him to have an active home, Pip, a Malinois/Australian Shepherd Cross, gifted by a member of the public and Willow, a Labrador – and their three specialist handlers are a national resource.
When their specialist training is complete they will be able to detect hidden devices and hardware which existing searches may not be able to identify.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1772272340295897436
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “It is now extremely common for a digital device to be used in criminal activity, which is then concealed by the perpetrator to hide incriminating evidence.
“People and businesses are spending more and more time online and criminals will use any means available to them to exploit vulnerabilities and any method at their disposal. Digital devices are becoming smaller in size and those involved in criminal activity are becoming more adept at hiding them.
“Searches by humans can be limited and the dogs will provide an additional capability which make finding hidden devices easier.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping everyone safe and this addition to our search capabilities will ensure there is no hiding place for criminals, even in the digital world.”
“The training of the dogs takes between six and eight weeks and when complete they will be an invaluable resource to assist our officers and staff search for evidence.”
The Digital Evidence Detection Dogs search capability is an additional resource and complementary to Police Scotland’s existing canine resources including those dogs that can currently search for drugs, explosives, cash, firearms, human remains and blood.
In December 2023, Benjamin Young from Dunoon was convicted of serious sexual offences against children.
For the first time in Scotland, a Digital Evidence Detection Dog, deployed from another force, assisted during the investigation by carrying out searches which located several SIM cards.
Last week Young was sentenced to 12 years in prison and had an Order of Lifelong Restriction imposed.
Scott Quin, a swim teacher with Edinburgh Leisure will be heading to The British Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre in early April, hoping to qualify for a place in the Paris 2024 Paralympics (28th August – 8 September 2024).
Born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, the ex-Warrender Baths-based swimmer has been swimming professionally for the last 12 years, funded by sportscotland and Scottish Swimming. Scott has shown himself to be one of the strongest S14 swimmers in the country, having won medals at Paralympic, World and European level.
Scott Quin said: “At the age of 34 years, I’m now considered something of a veteran and realistically this will probably be my last opportunity to try for a place in the Paralympics.
“Having made my Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, marking it with a silver medal in the SB14 100m Breaststroke, it would be great to finish my competitive swimming career with one more chance to bring a medal home.
“For now, I’m busy with intense training and lots of swimming at the Royal Commonwealth and Edinburgh University pools, six to seven times a week combined with gym-based training at the Uni’s Pleasance gym and at the Commie, as well as working at my day job as a swim coach at Edinburgh Leisure’s Leith Victoria Swim Centre.”
Now considered a ‘veteran athlete’, and with his competitive swim career coming to an end and funding from British Swimming stopping, Quin explored opportunities outside of competitive swimming.
Edinburgh Leisure offered him the chance to join their Swim Teacher Training Programme last summer for his next career pathway, where he could progress from being a full-time athlete and move into the ‘real working world’ but where he could still combine a career which involved swimming.
The Swim Teacher Training programme, a structured 13-week training programme, ticked a lot of boxes for Scott – as not only does he receive training but also a salary, and on completion of the programme, was offered a job.
Scott said: “Life, as you can imagine, is particularly busy just now but I’m really excited about heading to London in April for the British Swimming Championships. I’m keeping everything crossed that I make the grade to join the team representing my country.”
The British Swimming Championships are returning to the London Aquatics Centre in 2024 and for the first time, the swimming and para-swimming events will fully combine in one competition as athletes look to book their place at Paris 2024.
The 2024 championships will take place at the venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 2-7 April with the event playing a key role in the selection of the British Olympic and Paralympic swimming teams for the Games in July.
Olympic and Paralympic swimming event schedules will run concurrently in the same programme across six days of heats and finals sessions. The para-swimming events will be run with multi-classification competitions.
It’s the first time since 2015 that the national championships will be held at the Aquatics Centre although it staged the British Swimming Selection Trials ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
TV star and mother of tennis greats will be VIP at Musselburgh Racecourse
JUDY MURRAY OBE will start the third annual Corgi Derby – the popular “four-legged sprint with a difference” that kicks off The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.
Taking place after 2023’s hotly contested race, the event will see the return of reigning champion Rodney, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi who saw off 13 other competitors, including a distant relative of one of the late Queen’s beloved pets.
First launched as part of the racecourse’s Jubilee celebrations, the event was moved to the annual Easter Saturday Raceday as a nod to the event’s royal connections, which include the £100,000 Queen’s Cup race named after Elizabeth II.
It has subsequently become hugely successful, attracting global media coverage and attention – and will once again hopefully be televised on ITV Racing.
Judy Murray, said: “It’s going to be a tough job to match the excitement of last year’s photo finish, but I know the dogs and their owners have been putting in the hard work behind the scenes, so I have very high hopes.
“The racecourse team have thought of everything to make this day a perfect Easter outing, whether you’re going for the family-friendly entertainment, the fun, food, friends and fizz, the top-quality racing or – like me – a combination of all of those.
“It’s one of my favourite days of the year!”
Following the Corgi Derby at 12pm, a Mini Queen’s Cup will feature local audiences of all ages from Musselburgh before an action-packed schedule of racing, including the Scottish Sprint Cup – regarded as Scotland’s fastest race.
The Queen’s Cup will see riders bid for a share of a £100,000 prize pot, with high-calibre racing from 1:50 through to 5:20.
There is an abundance of activities too available for everyone looking for an Easter get-together with a difference, including action-packed mini-events and activities for the whole family.
Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development with Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “We couldn’t have predicted how popular the Corgi Derby would become, they have such a great character.
“It’s the perfect way to kick off Easter Saturday, which is one of our biggest annual events, even gaining the royal seal of approval along the way. There really is something for everyone.”
Racegoers will be met with an abundance of quality food and drink offerings, from a hand-picked selection of Scotland’s best street food stalls to formal drinks and dining packages.
With an after-racing party the event promises to be one of the biggest social gatherings on the Easter social calendar.
The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday on 30th March 2024 will open doors at 11:30 am, and the first race is off at 1:50 pm (subject to change). Book your tickets before midnight on the 29th of March and save £5.00 per person with under 17s going free when accompanied by an adult, T&Cs apply.
For more information and to book tickets now for Easter Saturday, visit:
Independence would allow Scotland to further improve its education system, including a proposal to enshrine the government’s policy on free tuition in Scotland’s permanent constitution, according to a new paper published by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth.
‘Education and Lifelong Learning in an Independent Scotland’, the latest paper in the Building a New Scotland series, sets out the Scottish Government’s policy proposals for education following independence.
Independence would allow future Scottish Governments to:
propose that the government’s policy on free university tuition becomes part of an independent Scotland’s permanent constitution, subject to the deliberations of a future Constitutional Convention
use all the powers of an independent nation to fully tackle child poverty, helping to ensure every child in Scotland has the opportunity to reach their full potential
incorporate – in full – the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, further enhancing children’s rights
consider enhancements to the length and level of paid maternity leave and extending the current statutory two week leave and pay provision for partners as well as providing additional weeks of shared parental leave taken at the end of the 52 week maternity period
rejoin EU exchange programmes that benefit students such as Erasmus+ as part of the EU and foster good global connections by promoting international research exchange
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, @JennyGilruth has launched our Education and Lifelong Learning #ANewScotlandPaper:
"Making decisions in Scotland, for Scotland, benefits everyone who lives here – but none more so than our children"
Ms Gilruth said: “Our education system shows why making decisions in Scotland, for Scotland, is better for people who live here.
“Since 1999 we have been able to take choices to improve opportunities for our young people – including abolishing tuition fees, expanding free school meals and investing in transformational early learning and childcare.
“But the outcomes for our children and young people continue to be harmed by decisions taken by the UK Government – particularly in terms of social security cuts, which are impacting children and families the most.
“Independence puts the full powers to tackle child poverty in Scotland’s hands, and would allow us to build on our existing policies. Modelling published last month estimates that Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024-25.
“As we have already set out, we would enshrine economic, social and cultural rights – including the right to education – in the interim constitution, effective from day one of independence.
“The Scottish Government would propose that our policy on free university tuition is enshrined in the permanent constitution of an independent Scotland, subject to the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention.
“Independence would put significant economic and legislative levers in Scotland’s hands and give future Scottish Governments a range of opportunities to do things differently on a range of key issues, like children’s rights, tackling child poverty, reserved childcare support schemes and parental leave.
“This paper sets out just some of the opportunities open to future independent Scottish Governments to build a successful and thriving Scotland.
“It shows the potential that can be unlocked for our children, young people and families – the best start in life in a fair and prosperous independent nation.”
Lothian list MSP Foysol Choudhury yesterday – the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade – reaffirmed his commitment to campaigning for Scotland to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in its past.
Mr Choudhury attended a Remembrance Ceremony in Edinburgh’s St. Andrew Square Gardens, where the Melville Monument stands to Henry Dundas. A replacement plaque, which explains Dundas’ role in slavery and recognises those who suffered enslavement as a consequence, has recently been installed on the Monument after the original was taken in September 2023.
Also in attendance were the Councillor Robert Aldridge, the Rt.Hon. Lord Provost, Councillor Cammy Day, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Irene Mosota and Professor Sir Geoff Palmer.
Mr Choudhury says the Remembrance Ceremony and its link to the recent replacement of the plaque was a reminder of the importance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
MSP Choudhury said: “Today, we remember those who were the victims of slavery, including the more than half a million Africans whose enslavement was a consequence of Henry Dundas’ actions in deferring the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.
“This day should be a reminder of the horrors of the past and a resolution to never let this past repeat.
“Sadly, we are clearly still facing people who are trying to silence history and who removed the original Melville Monument plaque which exposes Dundas’ actions and remembers victims of slavery.
“In removing the plaque, a site of education and remembrance was removed-we must be resolute in maintaining these education sites to address historical prejudices and educate the public on parts of Scottish history which have caused decades of hate, racism and discrimination.
“I am glad that the replacement plaque was in place for today’s poignant and important Remembrance Ceremony, as a mark that we must take strides forward in our fight to address Scotland’s historical role in slavery and colonialism and build trust from the communities who this past has affected.”
Mr Choudhury also noted his support for Councillor Cammy Day’s comments that “we will not allow the actions of a minority to derail the important ongoing work to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in our city”.
MSP Choudhury said he would continue to work on highlighting the importance of education to address historical injustices such as slavery and colonialism perpetrated by Scotland and the effects of this, such as racism, which still exists in modern-day Scotland.
Mr Choudhury concluded: “I hope that this important work continues to build a more equitable, just future for Edinburgh and Scotland which addresses past wrongs and their modern-day consequences.”
Sir Geoff Palmer, the Honorary President of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), of which Mr Choudhury is the Chair, played a significant role in the installation and the replacement of the Plaque which is dedicated to the slaves who were enslaved by Henry Dundas’ gradual abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
Sir Geoff commented at the event: “Today you’re witnessing a wonderful act of democracy, a wonderful act of equality and fairness because our Government decided an individual had no right to remove a memorial plaque for people who suffered the most profitable evil the world has known.”
Sir Geoff concluded by quoting Robert Burns, saying that enslavers are “Hands that took but never gave. And we had today, hands that gave and did not take.”
ONE THOUSAND HOMES AND HOTEL PROPOSED FOR WEST EDINBURGH SITE
The public are to be given the chance to view and comment on exciting proposals for a sustainable residential-led development at Maybury Quarter Edinburgh, site of the former Saica packaging facility in West Edinburgh.
Promoted by regeneration specialists, Summix Capital, Maybury Quarter Edinburgh provides an ideal opportunity to regenerate this former industrial location on Turnhouse Road, which covers 15.5-acre (6.3 hectares).
The flagship low carbon neighbourhood aims to deliver a mix of uses, including housing, hotel, commercial and retail uses. This brownfield site is allocated in the Council’s Proposed City Plan 2030 for residential-focused redevelopment.
The first public consultation event outlining the proposals will be TOMORROW – Wednesday 27th March 2024 – at Delta Hotels by Marriott, 111 Glasgow Rd, Edinburgh EH12 8NF between 2pm and 7pm.
A second event will be held on 22nd May 2024 at the same venue and time, presenting updated proposals which will include appropriate feedback and comments from the first event and other stakeholder engagement.
Further information will be made available at www.maybury-quarter.co.uk, which will host consultation materials on the day of the event.
The proposals for Maybury Quarter will ‘aim to deliver a balanced mix of uses that promote health, wellbeing and sustainable lifestyles which are designed to encourage a strong sense of place and community’.
It will aim to deliver:
1000 homes
Hotel – 120-150 rooms
Retail/potential local centre – 30,000 sq. ft. overall
Extensive green spaces will be created, with high-quality public realm and access arrangements
The housing proposed will include tenure blind affordable housing, addressing the city’s well-publicised housing emergency, and including the provision of accessible family homes and Build to Rent (BTR) accommodation. BTR sees homes built specifically for rent, rather than sale.
It is anticipated than an application for detailed planning permission to City of Edinburgh Council will be submitted towards the end of 2024.
Stuart Black, Development Director for Summix Capital, commented: “We are delighted to give the community the chance to view and feedback on our proposals for Maybury Quarter Edinburgh, which provides a unique opportunity to redevelop one of the last major pieces of brownfield land in the city into a brand-new, sustainable mixed-use community.
“The site’s regeneration has the potential to provide much-needed homes, employment and investment, helping to address the current housing emergency, and taking advantage of and strengthening already excellent public transport links by train, tram, bus and cycle.
“Maybury Quarter must be one of the most exciting and best-connected development sites in Scotland.”
Spain-based paper and cardboard company Saica has relocated to a purpose-built facility at Deans Road in Livingston. It is active in nine other European countries.
About Summix Capital
Summix Capital is a regeneration company specialising in development projects across the UK and Ireland. Working with its partners, it has successfully delivered thousands of homes in the UK and Ireland since its foundation in 2006.
It works closely with sector specialists across the property space, unlocking challenging sites and helping speed up what can often be a long development process from conception to delivery. Its aspiration is to ensure that housing, student accommodation and mixed-use schemes are delivered where they are most needed.
The company’s vision for regeneration involves taking on sites with vacant possession to dormant, dilapidated structures and developing a viable plan for their redevelopment and repurposing. At a time when the demand for housing far outstrips supply, a steady flow of land is essential.
In 2017, the Summix Capital Partners I LP fund was launched to further enhance its ability to deliver larger and more complex projects.
