Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited Inverclyde, a region grappling with significant job losses and population decline, to discuss the economic challenges facing the area. Local officials are urging the Scottish government to treat Inverclyde as a special case, offering enhanced incentives to attract new businesses and mitigate the impact of deindustrialization.
Inverclyde has experienced a steady decline in employment following the collapse of traditional industries. The shipbuilding sector, once a cornerstone of the local economy, diminished significantly in the 1970s and 1980s. Later, the closure of a Tate & Lyle sugar refinery in 1997 marked another blow. Hopes for a resurgence with the rise of electronics firms, such as IBM, faltered as the company scaled back operations, eventually closing its Spango Valley site in 2016. More recently, an Amazon fulfillment center that opened in Gourock in the early 2000s also shut down three years ago, contributing to the loss of approximately 1,500 jobs.
Douglas McCabe, who leads Inverclyde's minority Labour administration, emphasized the need for government intervention. He drew parallels to the government's responses in other areas facing job crises, such as Grangemouth and Alexander Dennis at Falkirk, and stated that Inverclyde requires similar "special support" due to the magnitude of job losses.
"It's time for the Scottish government to recognise that Inverclyde is a priority," McCabe said. "We've seen how they responded to other jobs crises in the likes of Grangemouth and Alexander Dennis at Falkirk. They need to recognise the jobs that we've lost is so significant that there needs to be special support."
Regeneration Efforts and Investment
A socio-economic taskforce established four years ago put forward regeneration proposals valued at £70 million. Some funding has been secured for these initiatives. A £24 million redevelopment of central Greenock, primarily funded by UK Levelling Up money, is currently underway to improve the town's appearance and layout. Additionally, approximately £11 million in public funds has been invested in upgrading facilities at the Inchgreen Marine Park, a joint venture between the council and Peel Ports. However, critics have expressed concerns about the lack of job creation resulting from these upgrades.
Further investment includes a recent £20 million pledge from the UK's Growth Mission Fund. This funding is earmarked for repairing the Inchgreen dry dock, a large ship repair facility that has seen minimal use for two decades, and for establishing a maritime training center. The dry dock, capable of accommodating large vessels, has been a underutilized asset for years.
Past attempts to revitalize the area include the establishment of electronics firms and an Amazon fulfillment center, but these initiatives ultimately did not provide sustainable employment. The legacy of deindustrialization has left a significant impact on the region, necessitating sustained efforts to attract and retain modern industries and employment opportunities.