Coal merchants bust after 90 years trading
Nine more job losses, after 240 go at Forthside
Stirling was dealt a second jobs blow this week with news that a near-century old coal merchants had slipped into administration.
Fergusson Coal was swiftly snapped up by rivals CPL Fuels Ltd, and although trading will continue nine jobs have been axed in Stirling.
The news on Tuesday came only hours after the Ministry of Defence announced it was closing its base at Forthside, with 240 roles expected to go.
The announcements cap a miserable few months for the Stirling economy, with almost 650 jobs having been axed by major companies since the summer.
BHS and McArees closed their Stirling stores in the summer, HSBC announced it is departing Castle Business Park and 44 jobs were lost when Guardian Systems Ltd was liquidated.
Politicians have said that recent redundancies strengthen the case for Stirling’s half a billion pound City Deal, which they say will create more jobs for local people.
Stirling Council leader Johanna Boyd said: “It is saddening to hear of job losses in both our local area and across the country. While there is always understandable concern amongst those affected in times of economic change, I want to assure residents and businesses that Stirling Council are doing all we can to support and strengthen our local economy, through ongoing projects and through our ambitious City Deal business proposals. If we are successful in receiving funding from the UK and Scottish Governments we can develop our existing local economy, attract new national and international investment, and in turn, retain talent and create more jobs for local people.”
Labour market statistics revealed that in September there were 900 people claiming out of work benefits in Stirling, compared to 835 in September 2015. The figures for October are set to be released next week.
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said recent losses would hit the economy. “The loss of jobs in the Stirling area is disappointing not only for those who face job losses but also for the wider Stirling economy,” he said. “However, I strongly believe that the disposal of Forthside by the MOD and recent job losses announced by HSBC strengthens the case for the go ahead of the transformational Stirling City Deal.”
Mr Crawford also highlighted the recent arrival of firms Dovetail Games and Global Digital Community, an expansion by International Financial Data Services at Craigforth and digital growth company Codebase expressing interest in the area as proof that the area can become a digital powerhouse.
He said: “I want Stirling to become an economic and cultural powerhouse by building on its assets to generate wealth and increase opportunities for all. That’s why I support the ambition for Stirling to become the digital hub of Scotland. That’s what makes the transformational city deal so important.“
Stirling Council has lodged detailed applications for City Deal cash with both the Scottish and Westminster Governments, and hope to hear news within weeks.
Councillors and officials are cautiously optimistic that Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond will announce he is funding the bid when he makes his autumn budget statement on November 23.
Finance Minister Derek Mackay is due to unveil the Scottish Government’s draft budget statement on December 15 and, again, there are hopes he will earmark cash for Stirling area’s ambitious regeneration project.