Compelling Argyll and Bute Sub Regional Socio Economic Baseline Report July 2015 EKOS Limited, St. George’s Studios, 93-97 St. George’s Road, Glasgow, G3 6JA Reg 145099 Telephone: 0141 353 1994 Web: www.ekos-consultants.co.uk Direct enquiries regarding this report should be submitted to: John Kelly, Director, EKOS Email: [email protected] Tel: 0141 353 1994 As part of our green office policy all EKOS reports are printed double sided on 100% sustainable paper Contents 1. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 REPORT FORMAT ................................................................................................................... 2 2. BUTE AND COWAL .............................................................................................................. 3 2.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 ECONOMIC PROFILE ............................................................................................................... 3 2.2.1 Population ..................................................................................................................... 3 2.2.2 Area Forecasts ............................................................................................................. 6 2.2.3 Settlement Profiles ...................................................................................................... 6 2.2.4 Labour Market .............................................................................................................. 8 2.2.5 Employment .................................................................................................................. 8 2.2.6 Employment Profile ..................................................................................................... 9 2.2.7 Business Base ........................................................................................................... 10 2.2.8 Micro Businesses ....................................................................................................... 12 2.3 SKILLS PROFILE ................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Workforce Qualifications ........................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Occupational Profiles ................................................................................................ 14 2.3.3 School Attainment...................................................................................................... 15 2.3.4 School Leaver Destinations ..................................................................................... 16 2.3.5 Further Education ...................................................................................................... 17 2.4 AREA ASSET AUDIT .............................................................................................................. 17 2.4.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 17 2.4.2 Housing Profile ........................................................................................................... 18 2.4.3 Education and Health ................................................................................................ 21 2.4.4 Business Property...................................................................................................... 23 2.4.5 Transport ..................................................................................................................... 25 2.4.6 Tourism, Leisure and Culture................................................................................... 29 2.4.7 FDI Profile ................................................................................................................... 33 2.4.8 Retail Sector ............................................................................................................... 34 2.4.9 Utilities Review ........................................................................................................... 35 2.4.10 Community Services and Access ............................................................................ 35 3. OBAN LORN AND THE ISLES .......................................................................................... 37 3.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 37 3.2 ECONOMIC PROFILE ............................................................................................................. 37 3.2.1 Demography ............................................................................................................... 37 3.2.2 Area Forecasts ........................................................................................................... 40 3.2.3 Settlement Profile ...................................................................................................... 40 3.2.4 Labour Market ............................................................................................................ 40 3.2.5 Employment Profile ................................................................................................... 42 3.2.6 Business Base ........................................................................................................... 44 3.2.7 Micro Businesses ....................................................................................................... 45 3.3 SKILLS PROFILE ................................................................................................................... 46 3.3.1 Workforce Qualifications ........................................................................................... 46 3.3.2 Occupational Profile .................................................................................................. 47 3.3.3 School Attainment...................................................................................................... 48 3.3.4 School Leaver Destinations ..................................................................................... 49 3.3.5 Further Education ...................................................................................................... 50 3.4 AREA ASSET AUDIT .............................................................................................................. 51 3.4.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 51 3.4.2 Housing Profile ........................................................................................................... 52 3.4.3 Education and Health ................................................................................................ 54 3.4.4 Business Property...................................................................................................... 56 3.4.5 Transport ..................................................................................................................... 59 3.4.6 Tourism, Leisure and Culture................................................................................... 65 3.4.7 FDI Profile ................................................................................................................... 70 3.4.8 Retail Sector ............................................................................................................... 70 3.4.9 Utilities Review ........................................................................................................... 71 3.4.10 Community Services and Access ............................................................................ 72 4. HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND ....................................................................................... 73 4.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 73 4.2 ECONOMIC PROFILE ............................................................................................................. 73 4.2.1 Population ................................................................................................................... 74 4.2.2 Area Forecasts ........................................................................................................... 77 4.2.3 Labour Market ............................................................................................................ 79 4.2.4 Employment Profile ................................................................................................... 80 4.2.5 Residence Based Employment ............................................................................... 81 4.2.6 Business Base ........................................................................................................... 83 4.2.7 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 83 4.2.8 Micro Businesses ......................................................................................................