AMIDS Q&A
What is the concept behind AMIDS?
AMIDS will be an internationally recognised centre for innovation, research and advanced manufacturing – the only one of its kind in Scotland.
It will support and reinvigorate Scotland's capabilities across all manufacturing sectors and create thousands of new jobs.
It will provide a high-quality, campus-style environment focused on collaboration between ambitious companies and academia to invest in and use best practice to transform manufacturing processes – ensuring Scotland's manufacturing sector is competitive on an international stage.
Who owns the core AMIDS site?
Local authority (Renfrewshire Council)
How much land is available?
A core 52 hectare (128 acre) greenfield site presents significant and flexible development opportunities at the heart of the emerging innovation district.
Further development opportunities are also available in the wider AMIDS area.
What investment has there been to date?
€45million of infrastructure funding will provide enabling infrastructure including new spine road through the core site with high-quality landscaping and cycle routes and new bridge crossings; all aimed at improving connections between existing commercial locations.
What size of plots are available?
An illustrative masterplan of c. 150,000m2 of floor space has been developed. Outline planning consent for envisaged development has been applied for with an outcome expected in early 2019.
A key principle of the illustrative masterplan is flexibility to ensure any plot requirements can be accommodated within the boundary of the masterplan area and road layout whilst retaining the masterplan strategy.
Are the plots available to purchase or on leasehold terms only?
The promoter's preference is for leasehold arrangement. Requests to purchase plots may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Will the owner consider selling the site?
The Council has purchased the site to achieve its economic development objectives. The Council is in discussions regarding a possible JV structure for the management and delivery of the remaining site.
No decision has been reached on this to date – any pursuit of this approach is likely to be subject to a future OJEU notice for a JV partner.
What financial support is available?
A range of grant and loan support may be available, including cost of development/relocation, training and R&D.
Are there service charges payable within the site?
Yes. The long-term maintenance and management of the AMIDS site will be covered by service charges on occupiers. This will be calculated at the time of agreement being reached on occupation and reviewed annually with all occupiers.
Are utilities available?
Significant utility works are currently underway to guarantee appropriate electricity, gas, water, sewer and fibre capacity and to minimise utility connection costs for developers.
What other fixed costs are there?
UK limited companies and foreign companies with a UK branch or office are liable for UK Corporation Tax on all profits. The current rate is 19%. This is due to reduce to 17% in April 2020.
Subject to reliefs available, occupiers of commercial properties are liable to pay annual business rates based on the value of the property.
What is expected to be built on the site?
An application for outline planning consent has been submitted for a mix of uses with a focus on advanced manufacturing. Uses could also include life sciences, research & development and aviation services (including MRO).
The masterplan design was developed with a desire for flexibility and quality. The layout provides for flexible development plots with good connectivity across the site and frontage to Abbotsinch Road or the Waterside Park. The framework of the masterplan includes high quality public realm spaces across the site and a coherent strategy for car parking to prioritise pedestrianised spaces and routes.
The design guide will clarify the principles for developments to come forward within the AMIDS site.
What other companies are located nearby?
AMIDS is currently home to established manufacturing businesses such as Rolls Royce, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Peak Scientific, Terumo Aortic and Doosan Babcock.
It also includes the University of Strathclyde's Advanced Forming Research Centre, a leader in the research and development of manufacturing technologies – which is being further enhanced with a €51million investment in the world's most advanced hot forging research platform and technologies putting the UK at the forefront of an electrification revolution.
AMIDS is supported by significant public-sector investment and will be home to:
€76million National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) – only such facility in Scotland.
€65million Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) – the UK's first.
€10.5million Lightweight Manufacturing Centre to support the aerospace and automotive industries.
€45.5million of infrastructure funding
What is NMIS / MMIC?
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) will be the anchor tenant of AMIDS.
This will be an industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise where research, industry and the public sector work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation and attract investment – making Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing. NMIS will be a catalyst for further investment, both inward and from businesses already located in Scotland, that increases the competitiveness of Scotland's manufacturing base. It will also connect with all of Scotland's engineering colleges and universities (with the University of Strathclyde taking a leading role as the anchor university).
A world-first, the new industry-led Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) will offer pharma companies (from start-ups through to multinational organisations) a unique service – to develop and adopt novel manufacturing techniques to adapt into their own manufacturing processes. By transforming processes and technologies, the speed of bringing new drugs to market will improve significantly.
Tell me about Glasgow Airport …
Glasgow is Scotland's principal long-haul airport and largest charter hub – with some 30 airlines serving over 100 destinations worldwide, including Canada, the US, the Caribbean, Europe and the Gulf as well as regular one -hour flights to London.
Carrying over nine million passengers each year, Glasgow Airport serves more Scottish destinations than any other airport and is a key component of Scotland's transport infrastructure.
What about Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire is your gateway to exploring Scotland. The beautiful Loch Lomond is only 45 minutes' drive away and the stunning Scottish Highlands accessible within two hours. If you prefer to spend your leisure time in the city, bustling Glasgow is next door and historic Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, an hour away.
Renfrewshire is a fantastic place to live and work. The historic town of Paisley is an architectural gem with Scotland's second highest concentration of listed buildings – and with a €115m programme of civic transformation underway. Surrounded by pretty villages and rolling countrysides, it's the perfect place to put down your roots when locating in Scotland.
You can download an investor pack from the link below:
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland investor pack (pdf)
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
The new institute at the heart of the emerging innovation district will attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.
Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre
The industry-led centre will offer pharmaceutical companies a unique service - to develop manufacturing techniques which speed up bringing new drugs to market.
Glasgow Airport Investment Area
The Glasgow Airport Investment Area is a £39.1million Glasgow City Region City Deal project delivering the infrastructure and environmental improvements behind a world-class business and commercial location in the heart of Renfrewshire.
It's exciting to have manufacturing innovation based locally and the development of the advanced manufacturing district by the airport will put Renfrewshire out in front.
James Lang
Scottish Leather Group
Renfrewshire is the perfect home for Scotland's national manufacturing institute and I am delighted that it will be established here.
Cllr Iain Nicolson
Leader, Renfrewshire Council
It is fantastic that Renfrewshire has been chosen as the home for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. It is recognition of our growing position within the international manufacturing sector.
Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce
A history of royalty and radicalism...a town built by thread, made world-famous for a pattern...home to artists and artisans, musicians and mill girls.
Working or studying, looking to relocate or a true Buddie, we can help you make the most of living in Scotland's largest town and surrounding areas.