Scottish Event Campus boss hails ‘tremendous year’ after financial success

Bosses at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow have reported increased financial success in an “outstanding year”.

Aside from the 2014 Commonwealth Games being held in the city, 2018/19 has been named “financially the most successful year in the history of the SEC”.

The economic impact of the campus generated net additional expenditure of over £1.25 million per day in the Glasgow area, a total of £457 million for the year.

Trading turnover increased by 21% to £35.1 million with conferences, exhibitions and live entertainment all reporting growth.

Almost 2.1 million people visited the campus, with 1.1 million of those heading to the SSE Hydro.

The venue hosted 144 performances in 2018 – including Kevin Bridges’ 19 sold-out shows and the European Gymnastics championships – making it the fourth-busiest live entertainment arena in the world.

  • Almost 2.1 million visitors to the campus (1.1m of those to The SSE Hydro)

  • 144 performances at the SSE Hydro, making it the fourth busiest live entertainment arena in the world

  • Economic impact generated additional expenditure of £1.25m per day in Glasgow (£475m for the year)

  • Trading turnover increased by 21% to £35.1m

  • 55% growth in conference turnover, 24% growth for live entertainment

  • 47 exhibitions staged, 3% growth

Peter Duthie, SEC chief executive, hailed the “record numbers” ahead of expansion plans for the campus.

He said: “This has been a tremendous year for the business and exceptional in that every sector in which we operate has delivered a record performance.

“This success is measured in financial terms but also by the economic impact the campus generated, not only for Glasgow, but also for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“We will ensure that trading profits continue to be reinvested to ensure the existing facilities meet the needs of our customers in an increasingly competitive market.

“Our ambitious plan to upgrade and expand the campus – principally to facilitate further growth in the conference and exhibition sectors – is being pursued, and in the current financial year a Planning Permission in Principle application has been prepared.”

Advertisement