Food and Drink Innovation

Forth Valley College is a recognised leader in hospitality, cookery and bakery
leveraging our city region’s strengths in food and drink, hospitality and tourism
Thriving Regional Food and Drink Network
supporting a wide range of agricultural producers, processors and service industries
Investing £17 million in a new National Aquaculture Tech & Innovation Hub
building on the UK’s top-rated university aquaculture research and training department

Leveraging Stirling’s strengths in hospitality, tourism, agriculture and fishing, Food and Drink is a longstanding and flourishing sector, which is continually innovating:

  • From producers to suppliers, Stirling boasts well-established networks and supply chains – which benefit from being centrally located with easy access to local, regional, national and global markets.
  • Alongside big brands, there has been growth in artisanal and micro producers who benefit from significant tourist spend on food and drink each year.
  • Forth Valley College offers courses in hospitality, cookery and bakery; with its Gallery Restaurant in Stirling combining the art of fine dining with breath-taking views of the Wallace Monument, River Forth and the Ochil Hills. 
  • Stirling’s regional Forth Valley Food and Drink Network (FVFDN) – comprised of agricultural producers, processors and service industries – supports businesses to widen their reach and improve sustainability and growth.

Spotlight on Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest growing agricultural sector in the world. Together with its supply chain, the industry supports over 12,000 jobs in Scotland alone.

  • The University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture is the top-rated aquaculture research and training department in the UK and a leading international centre in its field. The University rates 2nd in the UK and 1st in Scotland for Zoology (National Student Survey 2022) and offers specialist postgraduate degrees such as Sustainable Aquaculture.
  • The soon-to-open National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH), supported by £17 million from our City Region Deal, will deliver state-of-the-art lab facilities where experts will conduct commercially relevant research in partnership with leading companies – equipping Stirling’s graduates with the skills required by the blue food economy of the future.
  • Stirling University Innovation Park is also home to the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, which was launched in 2014 to transform the industry by unlocking sustainable growth through innovating and pioneering new technologies. Connecting businesses and academics, the Centre funds and supports commercially relevant research to solve key sector challenges as well as supporting spin-out businesses and new markets. The Centre also attracts, educates and upskills the aquaculture workforce through funded university places and tailored training programmes.

Stirling’s competitive location

As the ‘Brooch that clasps the Highlands and the Lowlands’, Stirling is perfectly located to tap into Scotland’s Food and Drink sector – as well as connected sectors such as agriculture, fishing, hospitality and tourism.

Stirling is within an hour’s travel time of over 50% of Scotland’s population and two international airports which offer flights to over 120 countries. Our city region is connected to motorway networks that extend across the UK and our train station is one of the busiest in Scotland – with public transport linking Stirling to Edinburgh or Glasgow in just over 30 minutes and a new, regular train service announced from London.

Stirling’s location and travel connections make it convenient for business visits and supply chains as well as recruitment.  We work with local, regional and national partners (including our Employer Engagement Forum, Skills Development Scotland, the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College) to support recruitment from our strong local talent pool and across Scotland.

Opportunities to start, scale and locate in Stirling

STEP

Having marked its 40th anniversary in 2023, STEP is arguably Scotland’s oldest incubator and today offers full-service business support and affordable rents to help businesses grow. With over 200 businesses in various industries across five locations in Stirling, STEP offers mixed-use work, office, kitchen and storage space. As an incubator, STEP provides comprehensive business support, including HR assistance, and affordable rents to foster business growth.

Stirling University Innovation Park (SUIP)

Established in 1986, SUIP houses 70 businesses across 109,000 square feet of office and lab space on the University of Stirling campus and close to the city centre. Its community of innovative businesses offers the chance to work alongside over 400 like-minded professionals, opening opportunities to share knowledge and collaborate.

Further options are available on Commercial Property Opportunities and Flexible Workspaces.