Latest news with #Fife-based
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Fife-based outdoor brand marks 45 years of UK manufacturing with new collection
The Fife-based outdoor clothing brand, Keela, is celebrating over four decades of manufacturing in the UK with the unveiling of its 'Albion Collection'. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Since 1980, Ilasco, the parent company of Keela, has been manufacturing in its factory in Glenrothes, Fife – as well as using materials from UK-only suppliers, where possible. To celebrate this milestone, Keela has launched its Albion Collection, which is made up of several jackets and accessories that highlight the best of UK craftsmanship. The Albion Collection is further strengthened with several of Keela's supply partners including; HD Wool, British Millerain, Halley Stevensons, and Harris Tweed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The release of the Albion Collection comes at a time when the UK's fashion and textile industry is on the rise after years of decline with the increase in fast fashion and imported goods. It is estimated the textiles industry contributes £62bn to the UK economy, with the number of UK manufacturers increasing 13% between 2010 and 2020. Keela Sales Director, Sam Fernando Sam Fernando, Keela Sales Director said: 'We're absolutely delighted to be launching the Albion Collection and be able to showcase what can be created right here in the UK. 'As a business, local manufacturing has always been a priority, and it is exciting to see that the industry is on the rise – not only for our economy but to help protect our environment by creating clothing more responsibly.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of jobs face risk at major Scots firm – with ‘400 more axed every two weeks' warning
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HUNDREDS of Scots oil and gas jobs are set to be axed - with the worst to come. Trade union bosses warn that over 140 jobs with the contractor Altrad, who provided operational support to the Petroineos oil refinery in Grangemouth, face losing their job at the end of June. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Petroineos oil refinery site in Grangemouth is set to close completely Credit: Getty 3 Unite union are urging both governments to speed up the process to transform the site Credit: PA The contractors provide several critical support services between Grangemouth and Mossanman chemical factory in Cowdenbeath. The Fife-based complex consists of two neighbouring plants: the Fife Natural Gas Liquids (FNGL) Plant operated by Shell U.K. Limited and the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) operated by ExxonMobil Chemical Limited. Altrad blames the cuts on a work slowdown and ExxonMobil's cost-saving measures. Union bosses are now warning of an 'avalanche' of redundancies, with up to 400 jobs disappearing every fortnight from the sector. At least 98 jobs are already being slashed at Mossmorran, while other contractors Bilfinger, is dropping 10 roles, and Kaefer is cutting 55. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham slammed the UK and Scottish governments for failing to protect workers, saying: 'This is an unfolding jobs crisis in Scotland's oil and gas industry. 'They're accelerating huge losses without any credible jobs plan in place.' A damning report from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has revealed the workforce could shrink by 400 jobs every fortnight for the next five years. The UK's oil and gas workforce is estimated to have declined by around 5,000 jobs, from 120,000 in 2023 to around 115,000 in 2024. It said in 'low-case scenarios', where the UK makes 'slower progress' as the country transitions towards renewable energy, jobs in the oil and gas workforce would further drop from 115,000 at present to 'as low as 57,000 by the early 2030s'. Grangemouth was doomed from the moment closure was raised, admits Scotland Secretary An impact assessment by PWC found that the Grangemouth refinery made an economic contribution of £403.6m per annum, and almost 3,000 workers were reliant on the refinery's operations. Earlier this year, ministers floated nine options for Grangemouth's future, but warned it would take £35 billion of private investment to turn it into a green energy hub. The Project Willow document says SAF operations would commence in 2035, with a capital expenditure of up to £2.1 billion required. Up to 270 staff would run the plant. Unite wants the government to fast-track projects like transforming Grangemouth into a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production hub, but says the lack of action is causing a 'domino effect' of job losses across the supply chain. Unite's Scottish secretary Derek Thomson said: 'Scotland is in serious danger of losing thousands of highly skilled jobs while creating no new opportunities in greener industries for workers to transition into.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'We have taken rapid steps to deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers in a fair and orderly transition as part of our Plan for Change, including by making the biggest investment in offshore wind and two first-of-a-kind carbon capture storage clusters. 3 Over 140 contractors are set to lose their jobs by the end of the month Credit: Alamy 'This comes alongside Great British Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, which has already announced a £300 million investment into British supply chains, unlocking significant investment and helping to create thousands of skilled jobs.' A spokesman for the refinery's owners Petroineos previously said: 'The publication of the first Project Willow report is a milestone event for Grangemouth that could mark the beginning of a transformation for the whole cluster and, in time, create many more jobs and growth opportunities across a variety of related industries in Scotland.'
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Colourful mural celebrating Orkney to be included outside new Kirkwall nightclub Rapture
An eye-catching mural is to be added to Kirkwall's high street at the soon-to-open Garden Square development. The art will be a decorative addition to the multi-purpose development on Bridge Street. Designed by Fife-based artist Lauren Morsley it depicts many recognizable elements of Orkney's culture and scenery. This includes the Stoor Worm, a Trow, an orca, and the standing stones – all in the distinctive style of the artist. The mural will not face directly onto the street. Instead, it will run along the south-facing wall on the boundary of the development on the wall of the Anchor Buildings. It will be painted on a timber layer that will be attached to the wall. This area next to the wall will become an alleyway, which will be the entrance to what will become Rapture nightclub. The Garden Square development is due to open this summer and is being developed by local businessman Neil Stevenson. It will feature the aforementioned nightclub, a bowling alley, food kiosks, and an arcade. While the plans for the mural were brought to the planning committee today, there were no objections or representations from members of the public nor from statutory consultees. Notably, with the development in the conservation area, there was also no objection from the Orkney Heritage Society. The mural was also recommended for approval by the council's planning department. However, the plans appeared at the committee as it was judged 'appropriate' for the elected members to 'take a view on it', according to the council's planning manager Jamie Macvie. Mr Macvie said it was 'fair to say it is a different style and scale of mural elsewhere in the town.' However, he also said the 'visibility was more limited' on the proposed mural, comparing it to the nearby mural on the side of the Highland Park shop further up the high street. The councillors on the committee were broadly supportive and the plans were approved unanimously. However, councillor John Ross Scott said it would be 'interesting to see how people react' to the design. Mr Scott also said: 'When I first saw this I did question the nature of it in the conservation area. 'But I think what you've done is a good thing. 'I have come to love it. It will brighten up the town and brighten up our lives.' The mural was not the only planning application Mr Stevenson had at the committee today. They also viewed another application for the Garden Square development itself. This dealt with some minor changes to the plans that have been made since the original planning application went to the committee back in February last year. This included installing heat pumps, adding a shed and fire escape, and changing the sizes of the food kiosks, among other things. As with the mural application, there were no objections or representations. The councillors ultimately decided to approve this other application. However, they did have some questions. This included asking Mr Stevenson why some elements of the application are 'temporary for 10 years.' The developer indicated he's already looking to the future changes at the site. Mr Stevenson said: 'It's my intention to change the use of the site after that time. 'Anchor Buildings is part of the next phase of the development. 'I didn't see the long-term use of the site remaining as it currently is. 'There's the option that I could sell it on but with the scale of what we've done, that's unlikely.' He added: 'The whole area: Bridge Street, Anchor Buildings, the oil depot and the wider site, could form a much more ambitious site.' Mr Stevenson has previously said he hopes to have nightclub and wider Garden Square development open in time for the Island Games in Orkney in July.
STV News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Partially-sighted man to travel across UK to raise funds for Fife charity
A partially-sighted man will travel the length of Britain to mark the 160th anniversary of a Fife-based sight loss charity. Kris Baillie has been supported by Seescape for 10 years, and to repay the favour he is travelling from Shetland to Penzance in Cornwall to raise funds that will go towards helping others experiencing vision loss. The 3,200-mile journey begins on Monday, where he will set off from his home in Fife, criss-crossing the country via public transport in an effort to show the challenges partially-sighted and disabled people face in getting from one place to another. Mr Baillie, 45, will hop on ferries between Aberdeen and Shetland, as well as the UK's longest train ride from Aberdeen to Penzance. He will spend less than half an hour in Cornwall, before boarding a coach back up north to Edinburgh, via Birmingham and Leeds. His journey will finally end back in Kirkcaldy just before midnight on May 18. Since his diagnosis of partial sight loss in 2015, Kris has been supported by Seescape. Seescape is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year and has launched a 160 Challenge as part of the celebrations, and to raise extra funds. The charity supports more than 3,500 people across Fife every year who are blind or have sight loss, helping them to live independent lives through rehabilitation, advice and help with assistive technology. Mr Baillie said: 'I am very grateful to Seescape and everything they have done for me since I was diagnosed with sight loss. I wanted to help give back and celebrate their milestone anniversary. 'I wanted to take part in the 160 Challenge posed by Seescape, and my journey takes me 20 times 160 miles across the entire length of Britain. 'Public transport can sometimes be a challenge for someone with sight loss and I wanted to do this to challenge to show others that it is still possible to travel and live fully, with the right support, which is what Seescape has given me. 'I feel like I'm completing The Proclaimers song, 500 miles, but I am doing 2,500 more.' Lesley Carcary, Seescape's chief executive, said: 'We're incredibly proud of Kris and deeply touched by his determination and generosity. 'As we celebrate 160 years of service in Fife, this journey reminds us of the resilience of the people we support – and we are grateful for anyone who supports us, either through fundraising or volunteering. 'We can't wait to follow Kris's journey and support him along the way.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Pizza Hut franchisee hoping to create 20 jobs at new Stirling store
The popular chain is moving a few hundred yards along the road from its long established city centre site - after long-running concerns over the shop units lying empty. Pizza Hut have moved into premises in a city centre building which previously struggled to attract tenants. The chain is moving a few hundred yards along the road from its long established site on the corner of Cowane Street and Wallace Street to shop premises at Goosecroft Road. Pizza Hut says it is a relaunch in Stirling, upgrading to larger premises designed to 'enhance operations and customer experience' and reflects the brand's ongoing investment in its Scottish footprint. The new Hut, on the site of a previous Papa John's franchise, is operated by Fife-based conglomerate Glenshire Group and becomes the 23rd store in their growing portfolio. The franchisee hopes the opening will create around 20 jobs. The store offers delivery and collection services, while also offering a small seating area for those who want to eat on the go. Director Zibby Ghafoor said the team are thrilled about the opportunity to upgrade the previous store. He said: 'We're bringing a fresh approach to the site, with an updated look and feel, new menu, and new equipment. 'Our excellent team at the previous Hut in Stirling were kept busy in other stores while we fitted out the new unit. 'This is a great location, and we have a lot of people to serve.' Area Manager Louise Ferry said: 'We're committed to delivering quality, variety, and exceptional service, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back in for their favourite pizzas, sides, and desserts. 'This opening marks another step in our journey to serve more of Scotland, and we're grateful to the Stirling community for their patience and support.' The new shop is in a £6 million building at the corner of Maxwell Place which features 53 flats with four shop units on the ground floor. The introduction of Pizza Hut will be a welcome addition for those keen to see the shop units occupied. Since the building was completed at the start of 2016 residents quickly moved into the flats but some of the shops remained unoccupied for the first few years, during which Stirling Council officials gave repeated assurances to councillors that tenants were due to move in - and even when businesses began to occupy some of the smaller units, filling the largest unit was described as challenging and other forms of fit-out were tried.
