Latest news with #JimLynch
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Business park plans for Scottish airport take step forward
The project aims to: deliver infrastructure to enable a fully accessible Oban Airport Business Park; promote private sector investment and establish an aviation, engineering and logistics cluster; and contribute towards reducing the population decline in Argyll and Bute and increase higher-paid employment opportunities for residents. Planning permission has been granted for one of two commercial buildings for lease at the site. The buildings are subject to a funding application for £7.68m from the Community Regeneration Partnership Fund. However, Councillors have also already agreed to invest £7.25 million to develop additional roads, infrastructure, and utilities at the site from the TIF fund with £1.6 million already approved for development costs to help meet the project timescales. READ MORE: Trump factor may bring big boost to Scottish tourism Orkney's ports make major waves with green ambitions at Scapa Flow and beyond 'Deeply regrettable' job cuts at Scottish island distillery In addition, the development will also support development of a West Coast UAV Logistics and Training Hub project with an investment of up to £4 million from the UK Government as part of the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal. The investment will support proposals for Scotland's first specialised drone training and research centre. It will also provide state-of-the-art hangars with maintenance facilities for UAVs and general aviation aircraft. Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: 'I'm delighted to announce the appointment of hub North Scotland and Robertson Construction on this project. Both organisations have long history of successful community projects, and I am excited to see this innovative project progress and help put the area on the aviation map.' Richard Park, Chief Executive of hub North Scotland, said: 'We have had an excellent long-term working relationship with Argyll and Bute Council and the Oban Airport development is a further demonstration of that commitment. This will be a transformational project which will create great opportunities for the airport and the local communities.' Ian Phillips, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Northern, said: "This project represents a significant investment in Oban's future and an opportunity to deliver the infrastructure needed to support business growth, innovation, and employment. It builds on the ongoing collaboration between Robertson, Argyll and Bute Council, and hub North Scotland, and we look forward to helping bring these plans to life."
STV News
23-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans to restore Art Deco pavilion take step forward as structural works begin
Plans to restore an Art Deco pavilion have taken a step forward as structural works begin in Argyll and Bute. It comes after the Scottish Government committed £25m to the ten-year rural growth deal, £9m of which will be used for the refurbishment project. The refurbishment plans will see the 1938 art deco Rothesay Pavilion on the Isle of Bute transformed into a 'vibrant hub' for leisure, culture, and entertainment. The pavilion is expected to create at least 14 direct local jobs, in addition to those created during the construction phase, and inject millions into the local economy. It will feature an events space, office and work space facilities, a caretaker's house, flexible exhibition space, craft retail/café space, dressing rooms, a young people's studio, and outdoor areas. Over the past few years, extensive work has been carried out to revive the pavilion. A temporary tent structure shielded the building from the elements, allowing for crucial work on the twenty-two individual roofing areas, further repairs to the pre-cast stone facades, and the restoration of the caretaker's building. With this phase now complete, the project can move forward with structural works on the lower ground floor, and refurbishment of the main hall and installation of new sound and lighting equipment. This stage will also see the restoration of the original box office and main staircase to its bygone days and the renovation of the café area. It is estimated that construction work could be completed in early 2027. Once completed, the building will be managed by the Rothesay Pavilion Charity, a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Argyll and Bute council leader, councillor Jim Lynch, said the iconic building was 'steeped' in rich history. 'Situated at the heart of the town, it greets visitors arriving by ferry from Wemyss Bay and, once complete, it will be a valuable resource for day-to-day life in Rothesay, for visitors and residents alike,' he said. He added that the project is about giving the building 'a modern-day role and creating opportunities for regeneration, cultural enrichment, and high-value job creation' in Rothesay. He continued: 'Its reopening will drive the local economy and enhance daily life on Bute. Advancing to the next stage marks a significant milestone, and I am excited to see it progress.' The project's first stage was funded by the council, Historic Environment Scotland, Regional Capital Grants Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Coastal Communities Fund. The final stages attracted additional support from the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal and will be delivered by Robertson Construction Central West (RCCW), the same company that successfully carried out the stage one works. Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer, Robertson Group, said: 'Having completed the works to make the Pavilion wind and water tight, the project enters the second phase which will really see this historic building come back to life. 'The commitment shown by the council and funding partners, including support through the Rural Growth Deal, reflects a bold and forward-thinking vision for what the Pavilion can become, while preserving a significant piece of Scotland's architectural heritage,' he said. 'Reimagined for contemporary audiences and users, it will not only serve as a vibrant tourist destination but also as a creative hub that brings long-term benefits to the local economy.' STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
West Maui sees return of annual event
MAUI COUNTY (KHON2) – The 55th Annual Maui Marathon is Sunday and it's returning to West Maui with a renewed commitment to supporting the local community. Ahead of that, Maui Marathon Health & Fitness Expo will take place at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa – this coming Friday and Saturday. 'We really pushed hard to try to get back to Kaanapali so we could help out the West Side and get some sense of normalcy again to the West Side with an event that they're very familiar with. We worked very hard with the Mayor's office and the Maui Police Department, who have been incredible working with us to bring this event back to the West Side,' said Race Director Jim Lynch. 'This is the first year that we're going to have all of our races start in Kaanapali, go out, and back. And it's going to go through Lahaina, on Highway 30 on Honoapiilani Highway. That's kind of exciting because it's going to be a much better course, faster and flatter. But to have this back in Kaanapali, our home and our familiarity, is just absolutely amazing.' And it's not too late to sign up. 'Registration closes on the 21st, but people if they still want to do one of our events, the full, half, 10k, 5k, they can sign up at the expo and that's going to be at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa,' explains Lynch. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clipper round-the-world yacht race set to return to Scotland next summer
OBAN is set to welcome the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race once again, after it was selected as a port in the 25/26 edition of the legendary sailing challenge. The west coast town hosted the race for the first time in July last year, when it was estimated to have attracted thousands of visitors to the area and generated £2 million in revenue from the crews and their families alone. The town will be hoping for a repeat of this success when the competition's 11 boats and 200 sailors arrive there in early summer 2026, during the town's international sailing festival. The stopover will come during leg eight of the 40,000-nautical mile race, when the sailors will be tackling the 3900 nautical miles from North America to the finish line in Portsmouth. READ MORE: Five of the best things to do in Oban as it's crowned Scottish town of the year The announcement comes just months after Oban was named Scotland town of the year in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local awards. Argyll and Bute council leader Jim Lynch said it was 'fantastic news' that the race will be returning to Oban next year. 'It's a huge, international event and so is a welcome opportunity to attract people to Oban, and Argyll and Bute more widely, and to bring global focus on the area as a great place to visit and invest,' he added. Andrew Spence, chief executive of Bid4Oban, added that the event would 'showcase Scotland at its best with numerous events and activities planned'. Last year, the crews spent 10 days in Oban, during which they visited Dunollie Castle, and took part in whisky tastings at Oban Distillery, Gaelic lessons, and a shinty taster session, as well as a trip to nearby Lismore. Stirling-born Max Rivers, who was a skipper during the 2023-24 edition and is deputy race director in the 25-26 edition described the experience of arriving in home waters. 'The west coast of Scotland has some of the best sailing in the world, and it was an honour to share the most gorgeous parts of the nation with my global crew,' he said. 'Having grown up sailing in and around Oban, I relished the opportunity to sail there again with the Clipper Race. 'Our arrival and departure in the Firth of Lorn didn't disappoint with its amazing wind and scenery, making it truly one of the most memorable sailing locations in the world. 'And to top it off, the town was an amazing host with brilliant events and spectacular hospitality. 'Oban put on a superb stopover, and I am delighted that our next intake of international crew will get to enjoy all that the town has to offer in 2026.' The roster for the 25/26 edition of the race includes five participants living in Scotland, and Clipper Ventures head of partnerships, Kate Ashley, said work is currently underway to include a 'Scottish named yacht' in the event. 'This partnership with Oban means we will once again see this Scottish town of the year sit alongside major international cities on our race route,' she said. 'Oban, with its rich maritime history and warm hospitality, is the perfect destination to welcome our adventurous crew after a tough ocean crossing. 'Our event brings with it a global audience and in the 30 years since the Clipper Race launched its first circumnavigation, we've seen many collaborations develop into broader partnerships which can include a team entry. 'A Scottish named yacht in our event would give brands an international platform as our fleet sails to 14 destinations around the world and we are currently working to make this a possibility.' Other ports announced on the race so far are Portsmouth (where the race begins and ends), Cape Town, Tongyeong in Korea and Qingdao in China, with further ports due to be announced later this month. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world. Most participants have no previous sailing experience before undertaking an intensive training course to prepare them for the race, and they can choose to complete the full 11-month circumnavigation or to test themselves on one or multiple legs.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More councils agree tax increases of up to 13%
Councils with a combined population of more than a million people are meeting to agree council tax rises of up to 13% following the lifting of a nationwide freeze. Councillors in Stirling, Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dundee, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire and Dumfries and Galloway have been meeting to confirm their plans. The biggest agreed percentage increase of the day came in the smallest authority with Clackmannanshire councillors voting for a 13% rise. Tax rates have been frozen or capped for much of the past two decades but with no such restrictions in place many areas have already seen rises well above the latest inflation rate of 3%. Protesters gathered outside some of the meetings to make known their concerns about potential cuts or spending proposals in their areas. The 13% rise came in Clackmannanshire was agreed by 11 votes to six. It will see the charge on a band D property go from £1,410.96 to £1,594.38. Councillors in Aberdeenshire also backed a double-figure percentage rise of 10%. The motion was passed 43 votes to 21 for a rival proposal, with one no vote and takes the annual bill for a band D premises to £1,532.76. The council also approved indicative increases of 8% for both 2026/27, and 2027/28. Argyll and Bute Council agreed a 9.9% rise to £1,625.64 on a band D home. Leader Jim Lynch said: "Setting the council's budget has been extremely difficult. "We all use council services every day, but every year council budgets face multi-million pound gaps. "Decisions made today protect the council services we all rely on from drastic budget cuts, and make investment possible in services that we know matter to local people." In Renfrewshire, a 9.5% rise was agreed (taking band D properties to £1,572,61 for 2025/26) while Stirling Council voted 12 to 11 for an 8.8% rise (£1,611.87 on band D from £1,481.50). The increase in East Ayrshire was set at 8% (£1,606.44 on band D) with the same percentage rise in South Ayrshire (£1,569.41). After a lengthy meeting, Dumfries and Galloway councillors voted through spending plans which will see a 9% rise (£1,454.91). Local authorities say the increases are necessary, despite an improved Scottish government settlement, in order to safeguard services after many years of restricted funding. In the current financial year, the government subsidised a nationwide council tax freeze but that ends in April. Other than 2023-24 - when many councils raised rates by about 5% - this is the first time for almost 20 years when a big increase has really been possible. The Scottish government says it is dealing with "enormous financial pressures" but is "investing in, and supporting, local authorities". It said there was an extra £1bn of funding for councils in its 2025/26 budget - taking the total government grant to about £15bn. Last week, tax rises up to 10% were confirmed for another group of councils with a combined population of about two million. The latest round means that the majority of the 32 Scottish authorities have now agreed increases which range from 6% in South Lanarkshire up to 15% in Orkney. Biggest council tax rises in 20 years confirmed Are 10% council tax rises on the way in Scotland?
