As part of their campaign to find Scotland’s best smaller firms FSB has revealed which MSPs have the largest local business communities. Edinburgh Central is home to 10,075 businesses, with Glasgow Kelvin close behind with 10,050.
Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson said: “I am hugely proud to represent the most enterprising constituency in the country. As great as it is to note the huge number of local businesses in Edinburgh Central, it is wonderful to see the diversity of industries in the area. From tourism to tech; music to media; food to finance; construction to creative - Edinburgh is a hive of commercial activity.
“It was a real pleasure to talk with members of FSB in my constituency last month, and I look forward to working with them and all others in the local business community to ensure Edinburgh and Scotland recover from the pandemic and remain a fantastic place to do business.”
The figures have been collated ahead of the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022, which have seen the UK’s overall winners come from Scotland for the last two years. The awards are free to enter and open to members and non-members alike. There are 12 categories for the Scotland leg of the awards. Winners will go on to compete at the UK Final in May 2022 in Glasgow.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “After such a tough year for all, we’re excited to celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s small business community.
“Across the length and breadth of Scotland, local and independent businesses play a key role. We’re on the hunt for firms who demonstrate the best of this vital sector.
“As a central Edinburgh business owner myself, it is brilliant to see our area at the top of the table.”
Kevin O’Toole, managing director of Sky Connect, said: “The resilience, innovation and creativity that small business owners have shown over the last 12 months is awe-inspiring.
“At Sky Connect our mission is to help small businesses succeed, stay connected to their customers and bounce back even stronger post-pandemic. We’re thrilled to become headline sponsor of FSB’s Celebrating Small Business Awards and help recognise and celebrate their vast achievements.”
Scottish businesses have until 13 February 2022 to lodge their awards application at fsbawards.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
• These statistics were highlighted by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) – see this document. The original data sets can be found on NOMIS: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/
• Quotes also available from Angus Robertson MSP, Kate Forbes MSP, Kevin Stewart MSP and Alexander Burnett MSP
• The figures refer to VAT/PAYE registered businesses – constituency level data for unregistered businesses is not included
• The 12 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards categories are: International, Sustainability, Micro Business, Start – Up Business, High Growth Business, Family, Young Entrepreneur (Aged 30 and Under), Wellbeing, Community Award, Business Product and Innovation, Self-Employed / Sole Trader, Digital / E-Commerce
• The Scottish winners of 12 award categories will be announced at an award ceremony on 31 March at a ceremony in the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh.