Ayrshire entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital investment vehicle’s deal to buy Port Edgar Marina at South Queensferry “ensures all employees and tenant businesses remaining in place under the new ownership”, writes business editor Ian McConnell.

It operates as a major hub for sailing enthusiasts, marine businesses, and waterfront leisure. The facility provides 320 pontoon berths with full services and comprehensive boatyard facilities, and houses retail and hospitality operators. 

The marina said that its “position beneath the…Forth bridges, combined with excellent road and rail connections to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, makes it highly accessible for boaters and visitors throughout central Scotland”.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Glasgow firm collapse will cost Scots national bank £34m

M Squared Lasers was founded by Graeme Malcolm and Gareth Maker in 2006 (Image: M Squared Lasers)

Scotland’s state-backed development bank looks set to lose all of its £34 million investment in M Squared Lasers, reports deputy business editor Scott Wright.

A new filing at Companies House shows that administrators do not anticipate secured creditors of the Glasgow technology firm, which fell into administration in August, to receive any return.

M Squared Lasers was the first company backed by the publicly funded Scottish National Investment Bank when it opened its doors in November 2020. The SNIB followed its initial £12.5m of backing of the company with further investments, lifting its exposure to £34m.

High-street bank Santander UK was another major funder of the Scottish company, and provided it with £14m of debt facilities.

Scottish kitchen and bathroom manufacturer eyes growth

Graham Mercer said the focus had 'transformed' the business. (Image: Rearo)

A Scottish manufacturer specialising in kitchen and bathroom surfaces is targeting a sharp rise in turnover after major contract wins.

Rearo revealed it had won “a high-value contract” with Benchmarx, the kitchen showroom division of Travis Perkins, reports Ian McConnell.

It added that its recent successes also included a £1 million-a-year deal with Derbyshire-based roofline products manufacturer Eurocell.

The family-run company, which is based at Govan in Glasgow and specialises in high pressure laminate surfaces, highlighted recent growth in its workforce, and significant investment. It now employs 90 people, with 64 staff in Glasgow, three in Aberdeen, five in Rosyth, and 18 in England.

Rearo noted that it “handcrafts products” in its manufacturing premises at Govan.

The company, which was founded in 1991, revealed it is aiming for turnover of £12m in the year to June 2026. It achieved turnover of £10.6m in the 12 months to June 2025.

French giant acquires stake in £1bn Scottish shopping centre

French retail giant acquires stake in £1bn Scottish shopping centre (Image: URW)

A French retail giant has acquired a significant stake in a £1 billion Scottish shopping centre.

The shopping centre that was part of the largest development of its kind in the UK is to be rebranded, reports business correspondent Brian Donnelly.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said it is bringing the Westfield brand to Scotland for the first time, expanding its UK footprint to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, in partnership with long-term investor APG.

Rebranding as a Westfield destination in 2026, St James Quarter will become the UK’s third Westfield centre, joining the group’s flagship mixed-use destinations, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, described as "Europe’s two largest shopping centres".