Local firms look to thrive
THE Anniesland constituency covers most of the north-west of Glasgow. It is a diverse constituency taking in Drumchapel, Yoker, Knightswood, Scotstoun, Broomhill and Whiteinch.
It has almost half it is local communities( 44%) in the 20% most deprived in Scotland but it also takes in more affluent neighbourhoods, like Jordanhill, in the 20% least deprived.
The three secondary schools in the area take most of their pupils from the more deprived communities and all have been showing improvement in pupils getting qualifications.
Drumchapel High has more than 80% of its pupils from the most deprived areas.
It has more than doubled the number of pupils who left with one higher from 9% in 2017 to 19% in 2019.
Knightswood secondary has more than 50% of pupils in the most deprived areas. It has improved attainment at higher lever from 53% getting one higher in 2017 to 62% in 2019.
St Thomas Aquinas has more than 60% of pupils from deprived areas and improved from 65% achieving at least one higher in 2017 to 72% two years later.
The diversity in the area is reflected in it including the grant-maintained state funded
Jordanhill Secondary with a protected catchment area pushing up house prices and also the private High School of Glasgow with most of its pupils coming from outside the constituency.
It includes much social housing and many new build areas in Drumchapel, a large
The constituency includes several local high streets and shopping areas. including at Knightswood, Drumchapel, Dumbarton Road and Anniesland.
At Anniesland Cross in the heart of the constituency, there are many businesses employing people and serving the community.
Local independent business owners are looking forward to life after lockdown where people in the area have freedom to travel and shop again. Beta Sayadnaziri and her husband own Charming Pets on Great Western Road at Anniesland Cross.
She said: “It’s a new business. We thought it would be a busy area with different shops bringing people here. “We also live near here. We were looking for a place with lots of different shops and also where the rent is not too expensive.
“We’re the only pet shop area.
“It’s a good area, it’s very busy, the people are good and the transport is good with the buses and the trains.”
Gary Maclean owns Hyacinth House Floristry on Crow Road.
He grew up nearby in Temple and was looking for premises after in the
he retrained as a florist after working for years as a landscaper, taking over the site four years ago.
Gary said the last year has been tough and he hoped people will return to shopping in person.
He said: “With products like ours people want to come out and visit the garden centre and see what they are buying. I want to see what I buy in from suppliers and customers are the same.
“We can also give them advice on planting and care for their plants. It’s about more than just buying goods.
“Brexit is also a problem. It’s difficult to get supplies from some places in Europe.
“Wholesalers tell me that it is easier for growers to do business within the EU.”
Anniesland provided political drama in 2011 when Bill Kidd won the seat for the SNP overturning a 4000 plus Labour majority, winning by just seven votes after a recount.
Kidd increased the SNP majority four years later to more than 6000 but there is still a strong Labour vote across the communities.