StorTera installs world first for energy storage in Perth and Kinross

Perth & Kinross Council has become the first place in the world to use spiral-flow battery technology to reduce its carbon footprint.

Designed, developed and manufactured by StorTera, an Edinburgh based developer of intelligent energy storage solutions, the project aims to develop a prototype smart energy at the Friarton Waste Depot.

As well as reducing the Council’s carbon footprint, the new system will help bring down energy costs through smarter energy management while reducing carbon emissions and supporting the move towards low carbon transport and heating.

The smart energy network will help PKC understand the requirements for developing Local Smart Energy Systems that can be built at scale across the Council’s estate and has the potential to help tackle fuel poverty.

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The Enchanted Forest Delivers £10Million of Economic Impact

Organisers behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, have unveiled the 2023 show theme as ‘From the Deep’.  As the name suggests, this year’s show will have an aquatic theme and has been designed to create a bigger splash than ever before.  

The event, which will run from 5 October until 5 November 2023 in Faskally Wood in Perthshire, will showcase Scotland’s natural landscape at its Autumnal best.

An independent economic impact assessment report commissioned by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, found that the 2022 Enchanted Forest event was responsible for delivering an impressive economic impact of nearly £10 million to Highland Perthshire last Autumn.

The report, undertaken by the Tourism Resources Company, affirmed the event’s significant role in delivering an impressive shot in the arm to the local tourism economy in and around Pitlochry every autumn. The 2022 show, which took place between 29 September and 30 October, welcomed over 83,000 visitors from all over the UK and beyond.

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PKC Backs Independent Businesses This Christmas

Returning for a fourth year, the popular  Independent Gift Guide for Perth and Kinross, will build on the success of previous years by encouraging people to shop local with family retailers and restaurants this Christmas.

This year's guide will feature over 130 businesses with gift ideas ranging from £3.95 to £3,650. 

An independent evaluation was conducted in January 2023 by Perth-based company, The Skills Collective. Using an online survey they invited replies from the general public and the business community which showed that 98% of businesses featured in the Gift Guide believe it positively supports independent businesses in Perth and Kinross, with 40% agreeing the Guide directly raised footfall to their website or premises.

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For Sale: Leisure / Development Opportunity

The former Rodney Fitness Centre on Dundee Road is now being marketed for sale with the asking price provided on application.

The subjects comprise a former leisure centre with circa 14 car parking spaces. Internally the property is laid out in a cellular nature with ground floor level laid out in connection with the former use. First floor accommodation has a mixture of office and staff facilities. 

• GIA: 992.50 sq.m (10,682 sq.ft)
• SITE: 0.45 Acres (0.182 Hectares)

More Information >    |   View an aerial video > 
 

Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant

The Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant has been increased to a potential £3,000 per business.

Covering up to 50% of eligible costs for projects focused on helping businesses to expand their market overseas and into other parts of the UK ( ie excluding Scotland) this grant can help with marketing costs, feasibility studies and more.

This is a competitive grant and projects are assessed on their potential impact.

Contact businessdevelopment@pkc.gov.uk for more details.

Design Led Thinking From Elevator

Run in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council, Elevator's exciting winter programme will focus on Design Thinking for SMEs.
 
Design thinking is a creative approach to problem solving that is being adopted by world-leading companies of all sizes to drive innovation and improve customer experience. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve and boost your business, this year’s Winter Warmer is for you.

Whether you're a business professional, owner or entrepreneur, the Elevator programme will provide you with the skills you need to drive change and make a real impact. With a focus on hands-on learning and practical application, you'll complete our programme ready to put your newfound knowledge into action.

Places are limited to ensure high levels of one-to-one support. 

What To Expect

Elevator will empower you with world-leading innovation practices, carefully interlinked to help you learn and apply:

• Empathy and human-centered design: Understanding your customers and their real needs to design solutions that truly serve their purpose.
• Ideation and problem solving: Learn how to generate and refine ideas to solve complex problems.
• Prototyping and testing: Create and test prototypes to quickly validate and iterate on your ideas and concepts.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Experience the value of collaboration and learn how to work with others effectively to solve problems.
• Mindset and approach: Develop a mindset and approach that is focused on creative problem solving, experimentation and iterative development.

Register Your Place > 

Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards 2023

Applications are now open to all businesses in Perth, Perthshire and Kinross-shire, whether a Chamber member or not.

Entries for the Business Star Awards 2023 are now open with Binn Group continuing as the main sponsor for the area's premier business award event, which will take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Friday 24th November.

Applications are open to all businesses in Perth, Perthshire and Kinross-shire with entry in up to three categories permissible. 

Entries close at 1700 on Friday 13th October and a shortlist will be announced and winners revealed at the event on the Friday 24th November.

2023 Categories 

1. Employee of the Year Award
2. Apprentice of the Year Award
3. Most Promising New Business Award
4. Excellence in Customer Service Award
5. Excellence in Business Innovation Award
6. Excellence in Digital Media
7. Contribution to the Environment
8. Commitment to the Community Award
9. Excellence in Tourism & Leisure Award
10. Beyond Scotland Award
11. Business Growth Award
12. Independent Retailer of the Year Award
13. Excellence in Food & Drink Produce Award
14. Employer of the Year Award
15. Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year
16. Outstanding Young Business Person

For more information on entry, or to secure your tickets for the event, visit the Business Star Awards Website. 

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