City Spotlight: Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and commercial centre. It may only have a population of around 600,000, but when it comes to business it certainly packs a punch. Here’s some more info…

• According to Start Up Britain, Glasgow saw 8,173 new businesses created in 2014. That’s more than Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff, Leeds and Newcastle.
• Once upon a time, Glasgow was the world’s pre-eminent centre for shipbuilding. Although that time has long past, BAE Systems is having a big say in ensuring the city’s manufacturing legacy lives on. It’s recently secured an £859 million contract with the British Government to develop new warships for the Royal Navy. The new ships will be built at BAE’s Glasgow shipyards, creating 600 jobs in the area.
• Glasgow has a thriving financial services sector, which has given Edinburgh’s a real run for its money in recent years. The International Financial Services District based in the city is a project that was created to attract national and international financial services providers to the city centre area. It’s estimated to have created over 15,500 new jobs since 2001, attracting international investment banks such as J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley. ^[1]

• Official research from Glasgow City Council found that 2014’s Commonwealth Games generated £282million worth of tourism for the city. The spectacle attracted 690,000 people with hotel occupancy reaching 95% during the event. Even better from the taxpayers’ point of view, the cost of the games in total came in at £37m under budget. It was anticipated by The Accounts Commission that £461.7m would be spent, but the final bill came in at £424.5m instead.
• Glasgow doesn’t need to host a Commonwealth Games every year though to keep the tourists flocking through its gates. Open Glasgow states that the city receives 2.2million visitors a year, which generates £578 million for the economy. The MTV Europe Awards is just one example of a recent event that helped to bring the visitors in. Other attractions include St Andrew’s Cathedral, the Glasgow Science Centre and of course, Scottish football giants Celtic F.C.
• Transport links to the city are thriving. Glasgow Airport just recorded its busiest February in eight years with more than 510,000 passengers travelling through its doors. The airport will see Virgin Atlantic launch a direct route to Las Vegas later in the year and Lufthansa will launch a direct route to Munich, and that’s just to name a few new routes!
• Businesses based or founded in Glasgow include the world famous Lipton tea, Optical Express and Scottish Power.

Did you know?

Glasgow’s subway was the world’s third underground railway after London and Budapest. ^[2]

The first ever official football match between England and Scotland took place in 1872 in the Patrick area of the city.

Some famous Glaswegian’s born in the city and its surrounding areas include entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, chef Gordon Ramsay and controversial comedian Frankie Boyle.

There are over 20 towns in the United States named Glasgow.^[3]

The word ‘Glaswegian’, used to describe the city’s inhabitants, is first thought to have been brought into use by Sir Walter Scott in 1817.^[4]

If your business isn’t based in Glasgow, but you’d like a virtual presence there today by acquiring a local 0141 number, then let us know – we’re here to help.

^[1] IFSDG Glasgow, http://www.ifsdglasgow.co.uk/why-ifsd/facts–figures
^[2] Transport Trust, http://www.transporttrust.com/10044.html
^[3] Primary Facts, http://primaryfacts.com/3610/glasgow-facts-and-information/
^[4] Daily Express, http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/top10facts/453530/Top-10-facts-about-Glasgow