Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 5 September, 2012
ECONOMICS
Aberdeen faces a jobs shortfall of 120,000 over next decade
Aberdeen needs to find 120,000 new workers in the next ten years, if it is to “realise its potential as a global energy capital”, a new report says. Accountants at PwC came up with the after studying the staffing needs of £31 billion of scheduled investment and taking into account the need to replace older workers who retire (Scotsman).
INDUSTRY
ITC now on mission to employ more people
Husband and wife-run ITC Hydraulic Services has its sights set on growth after more than doubling the footprint of its north-east base. The firm has spent £200,000 adding an extension to its workshop, modernising its offices and adding new equipment, including a five-tonne crane (P&J).
LEGAL
Ledingham Chalmers breaks £10m amid signs of recovery
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Hide AdLaw firm Ledingham Chalmers today said it had seen a “slow recovery” in corporate activity after turnover broke through the £10 million mark for the first time since it became a limited liability partnership (LLP) six years ago (Scotsman).
MEDIA & LEISURE
Travelodge to offload hotels as landlords back massive rent cut
BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is to dispose of nearly one in ten of its hotels and see its rent bill slashed at 100 more after its landlords voted to back a rescue deal to secure the group’s future (Scotsman).
Greene King and Spirit rise above Games ‘disruption’
FOOD sales helped pub operators Greene King and Spirit to shrug off “disruption” caused by the Olympic Games and post rising sales over the summer. Greene King – which owns the Belhaven brewery in Dunbar along with chains including Hungry Horse and Loch Fyne Restaurants – reported a “reassuring” 5.1 per cent rise in underlying sales for the past 18 weeks (Scotsman).
RETAIL
Warning for high street as one in six shops vacant
THE Scottish Retail Consortium has warned that the ongoing economic downturn is heaping pressure on the high street as new data revealed that one in six shops are vacant north of the Border (Scotsman).