One of Europe’s most populated cities is to invest in building a state-of-the-art arena that experts believe will attract more business visitors, international sporting events and tourists to the region.

The economic development agency Scottish Enterprise Glasgow has put in place the final piece of funding to deliver a 12,500-seat venue for the city described as “one of the finest purpose-built entertainment arenas in Europe.” The agency has approved a contribution of GBP pounds sterling 25 million to the project—named the Scottish National Arena—that will play a major part in increasing visitor numbers to the city and significantly strengthen Glasgow’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. (The next Commonwealth Games, due in 2010, are to be held in Delhi.) Glasgow has ambitious plans to attract more than one million extra visitors over the next 10 years, and aims to ensure that the value of these visitors for the city’s economy also grows. By freeing space in the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre [SECC] by offering an alternative events venue, the new National Arena will allow the city to bid for more and bigger conferences. Last year the city hosted 203 conferences, generating 460,000 hotel room nights, and the new venue will add extra capacity to help swell this figure.

Created by the world-renowned architect group Foster & Partners, who also designed SECC’s Clyde Auditorium, the Scottish National Arena will be one of the finest purpose-built entertainment venues in Europe. It is the first major development of SECC’s GBP 570 million QD2 project that was granted planning permission in 2006. As well as the arena, plans for the site also include a new hotel, public space and housing.

The architectural and design work of Foster & Partners has embraced 150 cities in more than 50 countries worldwide. Mike Closier, SECC’s group chief executive, added, “The Scottish National Arena will dramatically improve the entertainment experience for concert-goers and free up space in SECC to host more exhibitions and conferences. Moreover, it will boost the city’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.The National Arena’s cost is priced at GBP 118 million, with the private sector contributing GBP 77 million, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow investing GBP 25 million, and Glasgow City Council putting GBP 15 million into the scheme.

Glasgow boasts a thriving commercial centre enriched by knowledge-based industries, a mature service sector and value-added industry. With a long history as Scotland’s industrial hub, traditional shipbuilding and heavy engineering have given way to a modern mixed economy, thanks in part to an adaptable workforce.

Situated at the western end of Scotland’s central belt on the River Clyde, Glasgow is the nation’s premier commercial city at the heart of the motorway network, and has its own busy international airport.

Further information from Scottish Enterprise, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow G2 8LU, Scotland. Website: www.scottish-enterprise.com. E-mail: press.office@scotent.co.uk