The Economic Development team works closely with the university and partners to attract jobs and investment to the local area as well as supporting Stirling’s businesses, city centre and surrounding communities to thrive - including by collaborating with a range of local partners to foster innovation and share skills.
This includes its partnership with CodeBase, the UK’s largest tech incubator, which opened its second site at Stirling’s city centre Municipal Buildings in recognition of our ambitions to make Stirling a leader in Scotland’s tech scene. Today, Stirling is the Scottish local authority with the highest proportion of its workforce employed in the creative industries, as well as the second highest proportion employed in tech. CodeBase Stirling offers free hotdesking and meeting space to UoS students, and also organises regular events such as Unfiltered which bring together those with an interest in the local tech community.
EY recently forecast Stirling to have Scotland’s fastest-growing economy over the next three years; and the Council is committed to working with the university and partners to attract as many economic opportunities as possible for Stirling’s residents, students and graduates.
The Culture, Events and Tourism team organises a packed programme of festivals and events, coordinates Stirling’s tourism offer and manages the National Wallace Monument and award-winning performance venues, including the Tolbooth and Albert Halls - as well as supporting other local attractions like Stirling’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
Lonely Planet has named Stirling as Scotland’s top tourist destination, while LNER crowned it Scotland’s cultural capital, and the University has recently highlighted some key attractions. Working with partners, the Council created Stirling XP, which allows you to explore Stirling’s history and story through an Augmented Reality app that is free to download.
The Tolbooth and the Smith have free exhibitions, while the National Wallace Monument offers concessions for UoS students and both the Tolbooth and Albert Halls routinely offer discounts for ticketed events, including: New Noise, which celebrates Scottish and local musicians; the Interesting Things festival, which features boundary-breaking music acts in the contemporary music scene; and the Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra. As well as discounted events, the Albert Halls café offers students a hot drink and breakfast roll for £4 from 10am-12noon Wednesday to Saturday.
In addition, Stirling Pride will take place on 20 September, and the Tolbooth will host She Drew the Gun, winners of the 2016 Glastonbury Emerging Talent contest, alongside planned activities across local venues.
The Culture, Events and Tourism team is also keen to hear the views of UoS students on the introduction of a new draft Visitor Levy scheme, which aims to secure future investment into the local visitor experience.
The Sustainability and Public Transport team leads the Council’s response to Climate Change and oversees public transport and active travel. Working in partnership with neighbouring Clackmannanshire Council, Stirling is implementing an ambitious Regional Energy Masterplan, which focuses on energy efficiency, heat management and renewable generation to realise a just transition by 2045. As the Masterplan develops, the team is keen to ensure UoS students are consulted so watch this space.
The Sustainability team also works with partners including Home Energy Scotland, Money Talk and Citizens Advice which offer a range of free and impartial advice on energy bills, keeping warm, switching suppliers and financial support. The local Citizens Advice team is based at Cameronian Street, Stirling, FK8 2DX and can be contacted on 01786 470239.
The Public Transport team also operates Stirling Bus Station. Information on free buses for young people under 22 can be found here, key contacts and information on visitor routes can be found here, and Traveline can be used to help plan journeys. Unilink, operated by McGills, connects the campus to the city.
The team also leads on strengthening Stirling’s active travel routes – primarily through its flagship Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling programme. Supported by £11m from our City Region Deal, this year saw the completion of two new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling routes totalling over 6.5km, which now connect the UoS with Forth Valley College via the city centre. The team is developing proposals to further improve active travel in Stirling with a new route connecting Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Causewayhead and UoS.
Supporting active travel locally, FEL runs a bike library, including free ebike loans; while Recycle-a-bike, based in Causewayhead, offers bike hires and repairs as well as training and other events.