Glasgow set to become a green 'supercity'

RENEWABLE energy companies at the cutting edge of the sector have put Glasgow on a map of future UK "supercities", according to a new report.

It predicts how small firms and entrepreneurs will drag Britain out of recession and shape the business landscape in the next decade.

Glasgow and Bristol have joined Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Newcastle as the host locations of industries that are set to become the "driving force" of the UK economy.

A previous report in 2009 had selected only five English cities, with London identified as a "city state" while Leeds was selected as a provincial "hub" for financial services companies .

The latest report, commissioned by HSBC, predicts that there will be a "renaissance" of British manufacturing based in areas of the country where relevant skills and infrastructure are already in place.

Renewable energy will lead to economic growth in Glasgow, Cornwall, the Humber, north Wales and Orkney, and creative industries will thrive in Cardiff, Dundee, east London and Manchester.

The study also claimed low-carbon transport will benefit the north-east of England and Norfolk while space industries will prosper in Oxfordshire. Although not deemed a coming supercity by researchers, Edinburgh is predicted to become a centre for regenerative healthcare along with Cambridge, Nottingham, Tyneside, York and the "Atlantic Gateway" between Liverpool and Manchester.

Jim Whyte, of trend forecasting agency the Futures Laboratory which put the report together, said: "Glasgow is using the opportunity of renewable energy to repurpose and revitalise its traditional strength in engineering. The rise in offshore wind farms is fuelling growth already with more expected as countries across the world aim to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

"It is the city's research capabilities that will ensure its position at the forefront of renewable energy developments with Strathclyde University and the Sustainable Glasgow consortium leading the way."

Researchers highlighted Glasgow firm SgurrEnergy, an engineering consultancy with expertise in wind, solar, wave, biomass and hydroelectric power, as part of a growing renewables cluster.

Simon Luby, associate director at SgurrEnergy, said: "Glasgow is rapidly emerging as a leading centre in renewable technologies, encouraged by significant inward investment and world-class research facilities.

"The UK is a challenging environment, both technically and in terms of the development process. However, I believe this gives UK firms an advantage that they can exploit in global markets."Mark Tate, head of commercial banking, Scotland, said the report offered "a glimpse of what the future will hold, and the exciting business trends that are starting to emerge".

"Glasgow has been identified as a new supercity driving the country's businesses and economy forward by becoming an international force in the renewable energy sector. Renewable energy is also a key growth sector in Orkney.

"Within Scotland the report has identified several growth clusters - areas which are becoming known for their expertise in particular skills and knowledge.

"Edinburgh is highlighted for expertise in regenerative healthcare, whilst Strathclyde builds on its reputation for excellence in photonics and digital services and Dundee is increasingly recognised for its creative industries."

Jacques Emmanuel Blanchet, head of HSBC commercial banking, said the UK will see a "redrawing of the industrial map" in ten years' time. "Out of recessions come new trends and this report crystallises how adaptable entrepreneurs and small businesses are shaping a new business landscape.

"The industries identified as the driving force of the new British business landscape enable us to understand not just what the future may look like, but what is happening today to shape that future."