Our achievements
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company can demonstrate success in creating new jobs, attracting investment to the area, creating new business premises and improving town centres.
Our achievements also include engaging with local communities through a wide range of initiatives, including a highly successful education programme.
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Jobs
Between 2007 and September 2013 IBRC reported the creation of around 360 full-time jobs.
In Spring 2014 IBRC reported a total of 777 new full-time jobs created, and by September 2015 a total of 1002. This faster growth is directly connected with the development of the Enterprise Area, where over 400 new jobs have been created, since it was established in 2012.
The 2007 target of creating 1,100 jobs was revised in 2013, with a new target of creating 2,500 new jobs by 2020.
Projects currently underway could lead to the creation of 7,000 further jobs through our investment in business infrastructure.
In addition to the above, an estimated 457 jobs have been created within the construction sector.
A clear commitment to local training and skills shows in the creation of 110 training places receiving a combined total of 1,595 training weeks.
Work within the local economy has seen IBRC support over 40 companies to develop and expand their businesses.
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Investment
We have invested over £40 million of public funds in Irvine Bay since 2006, with £100 million of private investment committed. These funds have contributed to key projects that have transformed town centres, renovated derelict buildings, created new business accommodation and contributed to infrastructure.
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Town centres
In the town centres our work has led to:
- The preparation and implementation of the Irvine Town Regeneration Plan which, in association with the Council, has led to a focus on four major projects – major public realm works in the Bridgegate area; the refurbishment of the A-listed Trinity Church; the refurbishment of Bridgegate House; the new Irvine Leisure Centre
- The development of new and award-winning public realm in Kilwinning town centre
- The development of the new Ardrossan Medical Centre
- The refurbishment of Saltcoats station building
- The refurbishment of listed buildings within Ardrossan such as the former Jack Millers building, the pump house and the Lyric Theatre
- Nearly 52,000 sq m of public realm within our towns and business areas has benefited from major physical improvements.
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i3, Irvine's Enterprise Area
Announced by the Scottish Government in 2012, the Enterprise Area has become the major focus of IBRC’s business infrastructure work. The Enterprise Area is important in attracting new investment and jobs to North Ayrshire, with business incentives available to attract new companies, including life sciences companies, into the area. Achievements include:
- More than £100 million of capital investment has been committed by the private sector in i3
- Our support and investment has seen a 28% increase in the number of companies within i3 with the total now standing at 32 companies
- An additional 411 jobs have been created or relocated within i3
- As a result, over 2,000 people are now employed within i3
- New infrastructure, signage and landscaping
- New office accommodation has been built at Annickbank
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Business accommodation and growth
In addition to i3, new business accommodation has been created elsewhere to bring regeneration and stimulate growth.
- The Grange Business Centre in Stevenston
- Industrial units at Ailsa Road in Irvine
- The provision of new of office accommodation at Ardrossan Quayside
Altogether, across Irvine Bay:
- 18,000 sq m of office space has been created or redeveloped
- 46,000 sq m of commercial space has been created or redeveloped
Our work within the local economy has seen us support over 50 companies to develop and expand their businesses.
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Communities
- We have secured over £10m in funding to support local projects such as the redevelopment of Trinity Church and the expansion of Kilwinning Community Sports Club.
- We have supported 68 local community groups on a range of local projects such as Glebe tennis courts and the PRYDE project.
- Supporting our history and heritage is vital and we have restored 10 listed buildings within key sites
- We have created or improvied 2 kilometres of pathways