Latest news with #SandyEasdale
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Family sells 'respected' Scottish bus firm after 70 years
McGill's Group said the acquisition of Prentice Westwood, which also operates bus routes, is part of its continued expansion in the coach travel sector. Businessmen James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: McGill's) The firm said that the "seven-figure deal will see the respected West Lothian-based business join the portfolio of McGill's Group" companies owned by former Rangers directors, Sandy and James Easdale. Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill's Group, said: "We believe Prentice Westwood will play a significant role in supporting our continued growth across coach travel in central Scotland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the business." Read the full story here Methil yard chief reveals renewables jobs hope There is hope for a positive future. (Image: Navantia) The head of Navantia's fabrication yard at Methil in Fife has revealed hopes of at least doubling the workforce from less than 180 to between 350 and 400 within the next two or three years. Matt Smith also highlighted a possibility that the headcount could rise as high as 600, depending on the work that comes into the yard. Mr Smith, who has been at the Methil yard for 12-and-a-half years under various owners, highlighted 'ups and downs' over this period and described the current trajectory as 'probably the most significant up we have been on with the acquisition by Navantia this year'. He flagged the boost to the local economy when the Methil yard was busy, as well as underlining the scale of the opportunities in the renewables sector and the site's capacity to undertake defence work. Read Ian McConnell' exclusive interview here Fanny By Gaslight sets re-opening date The well-known pub is to open again. (Image: Google) One of the oldest pubs in Kilmarnock is set to re-open a year after mysteriously closing down. Fanny By Gaslight on West George Street in the East Ayrshire town has been a public house since 1846, previously going by names including Railway Tavern, The Saddle Bar and Fifty Waistcoats. The Victorian pub was known for its traditional feel and Friday night rock gigs, but closed suddenly in June of 2024. It was put on the market by Iona Pub Partnership and new tenants have been found, with Fanny By Gaslight to re-open later this month. Read Gabriel McKay's exclusive story here AROUND THE GREENS ⛳ 'That's plenty': The revival of golf at Eastwood Twelve The course opened for play last month. (Image: Eastwood Twelve) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Play has resumed at Eastwood on the south side of Glasgow with a new 12-hole format that owners of the course say is proving popular among golfers who are short on time.
Glasgow Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
McGill's boss hits back at Glasgow MSP public bus firm plan
McGill's, one of the Glasgow region's biggest bus firms, is vehemently opposed to the idea. Sandy Easdale, who owns McGill's with his brother JAmes has written for the Glasgow Times in response to Patrick Harvie's suggestion of publicly owned bus companies. (Image: newsquest) Sandy Easdale said: "Let's be blunt. Patrick Harvie's knowledge of transport appears to be restricted to whether or not he needs to fix a puncture on his bike. "He is also so irresponsible he doesn't feel the need to wear a helmet, a great example to young cyclists everywhere. "Mr Harvie hates cars, he hates buses. To quote Noel Gallagher, he is 'a man with a fork in a world of soup.' "Let's get factual. Strathclyde's bus services boast a very high approval rating in Transport Focus's survey — the highest in Scotland and comfortably among the UK's best. READ NEXT:Patrick Harvie MSP calls for publicly owned bus firm in Glasgow "Interestingly, the anti-bus ownership clique in Scotland keeps whining on about the great Manchester franchising experiment run by another political egomaniac, Mayor Andy Burnham. Manchester are leagues below us. "Egged on by activists and highly -paid external consultants who see the opportunity to line their own pockets, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) – which has £180m of Scottish taxpayers' money sitting in its coffers and reaped a staggering £8m in annual interest — plays the major role in this bureaucratic charade that could lead to hyper-expensive franchising. (Image: newsquest) "I warned last year that SPT's extensive wish list could cost £400m a year of Scottish taxpayers' money — a figure based on detailed expert analysis shared with McGill's Group. That's almost double the still-growing financial disaster we're seeing in Manchester. "Not one councillor, MSP, or government minister can now claim ignorance over the true cost of this madness. "Franchising cheerleaders love to parrot the line that it 'returns control to the public. READ NEXT: Glasgow's new ship hall opened in honour of woman shipbuilding pioneer "But let's be clear: McGill's was never some hand-me-down from the council — it was built from the ground up at great cost to the owners. "McGill's Group has delivered where politicians have long failed: integrating ticketing which reduces costs for passengers, introducing Euro VI buses to Scotland and the first Disability Discrimination Act compliant network in Scotland plus much more. "A business forged by years of risk and personal sacrifice — by me, my brother James, and ably steered by chairman Ralph Roberts — is now at risk of being confiscated, carved up, and auctioned off to the lowest bidder. "As James said to me only this morning, 'Why are the government and local councils even contemplating this horrendous expenditure when it has just been revealed that our cancer treatment waiting times are the worst in our country's history?' "My final word to Mr Harvie – get on your bike son and leave transport to the adults."
