New Scottish Enterprise £35 Million Manufacturing Property Programme

Scottish Enterprise (SE) has launched a new £35m Manufacturing Property Challenge Programme, an ambitious initiative for prospective developers to create 1millon sq ft of new industrial space, fostering innovation and increasing Scotland's appeal to inward investors. Ryden's research played a key role in shaping this initiative and ensuring it meets the current market demands.

Scottish Enterprise (SE) appointed Ryden to undertake analysis into market failure associated with the provision of industrial land and property to support the growth of High Value Manufacturing (HVM) in Scotland. Our Research team's report, led by Dr Mark Robertson, highlighted a critical need for property development and support to meet the sector requirements.

In addition, the team conducted soft market testing on the proposed competitive property fund to assess viability and research into comparable examples of manufacturing property initiatives in the UK and Ireland.

The first call of the Scottish Enterprise Manufacturing Property Challenge Programme invites industrial property developers to bid for a share of £15million to support building at least 15,000sq.ft. of new premises or refurbishing existing premises within Scottish Enterprise's locality.

Managing director of productivity and business growth at Scottish Enterprise Rhona Allison said:

"Scotland has a strong manufacturing base across many sectors including renewable energy, life sciences and food and drink. If we want businesses to keep growing as well as new companies to invest here we need the right infrastructure.

"This programme is one of the key building blocks of our capital investment mission and supports our ambition to stimulate investment and create more world-class facilities for Scottish manufacturers which in turn will drive economic growth and increase productivity."

Ryden's Research Partner Dr Mark Robertson, added:

"We are delighted to have worked with Scottish Enterprise to ensure that Scotland can meet the growing demand for manufacturing properties from a range of established and emerging industries. SE's intervention will ensure that investment opportunities are secured and will encourage the wider property market to target these industries too."

Ryden's Property Research services leverage our market expertise to support initiatives that drive economic growth, providing bespoke analysis and strategic planning for any type of project.

Read the full Ryden's analysis into market failure associated with the provision of industrial land and property to support the growth of High Value Manufacturing (HVM) in Scotland here. 

The Manufacturing Property Challenge Programme is open for applications until 18 September 2024. Find out more on their website.