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Looking back over the past decade and forward to the next, it’s remarkable to see how much Stirling’s business landscape has evolved. When Stirling Business Month first launched in 2015, the city was already beginning to carve out its reputation as a destination for enterprise. But what we’ve witnessed since then is real transformation.
Ten years ago, STEP’s property portfolio revolved around three key sites: Stirling Enterprise Park, our flagship hub for local enterprise; Stirling Business Centre, providing flexible offices in the heart of the city; and Enterprise House, a purpose-built base for established and scaling businesses.
The focus was on providing affordable, practical workspaces for small businesses and that remains at the heart of what we do. What’s changed is how we deliver it. The past decade has reshaped the way people work, collaborate and grow and we’ve made sure our spaces evolve alongside those needs.
From the development of Kildean Business and Enterprise Hub in 2018 to the launch of ‘Ladder55’ in 2024, our flexible community business hub, every addition to our portfolio has been guided by one principle — to give businesses the right environment to thrive.
We’ve also looked beyond traditional business space. Corner30, our on-site takeaway, opened in 2024 to showcase local producers and offer a space for community interaction.
It’s an example of our Business Wealth Building model in action — where the success of one business fuels opportunity for others. Every cup of coffee and every purchase at Corner30 supports a network of local suppliers, reinforcing our belief that growth should benefit the wider local economy.
Our investment in property has gone hand-in-hand with investment in sustainability. Over the last decade, we’ve upgraded lighting across all sites to efficient LED systems, improved insulation and introduced EV charging, cycling facilities and waste reduction initiatives, and are now researching an investment in solar. We’ve taken a long-term view to reduce our environmental impact whilst future-proofing our buildings.
Our property support goes far beyond offices and workshops. STEP’s venue hire offering has become a cornerstone of how we connect people and ideas. Across our sites, we now host thousands of meetings, training sessions and events each year — everything from interviews and board meetings to large-scale conferences and community gatherings. In 2015, we hosted around 700 bookings across our venues. A decade on, that figure has risen to almost 1,200 — a 66% increase and a clear reflection of how Stirling’s business community has grown.
Over the past ten years, we’ve seen more organisations choosing STEP’s spaces for meetings, events and training — drawn by our flexible facilities, accessible locations and supportive atmosphere. In 2024 alone, we welcomed over 6,000 delegates through our doors, continuing our mission to provide places where businesses can connect, collaborate and thrive.
These events aren’t just room bookings; they’re opportunities for collaboration, learning and partnership. It’s another way our buildings serve the business community, supporting not only those based with us but also the wider network of Stirling’s employers and entrepreneurs.
Beyond STEP’s own portfolio, Stirling’s property landscape as a whole has also transformed. The past decade has seen a shift in how and where people choose to work.
City-centre office space has become more flexible and digitally enabled, while out-of-town business hubs like ours havegrown in popularity due to accessibility, parking and community feel. The opening of the Kildean Business Park in 2020 marked an important milestone in that evolution, expanding the range of high-quality business accommodation available in Stirling and strengthening the city’s position as a base for ambitious, growing organisations.
Alongside this, the Stirling University Innovation Park has continued to play a vital role in supporting research-led and knowledge-based businesses. Its proximity to the University has helped foster collaboration between academia and enterprise, supporting innovation, spinouts and graduate-led start-ups that enrich the local economy.
Of course the past ten years haven’t been without challenges. Brexit, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis each tested the resilience of businesses across the region. In every case, we’ve adapted — providing flexibility, short-term leases and practical support to help tenants stay focused on what matters most: running their business. That responsiveness is something we’re proud of. It’s what makes STEP’s property offer unique.
The rise of remote and hybrid working has perhaps been the biggest shift of all. Before 2020, few could have predicted just how quickly working patterns would change. The pandemic accelerated trends already in motion and what began as a necessity has become an expectation. Businesses are now designing their operations around flexibility, whether that means smaller core offices or short-term project spaces. This cultural shift has also had a visible impact on Stirling’s high street and commercial mix. As traditional retail continues to evolve, we’ve seen a rise in service-based businesses, creative enterprises and hospitality venues that value authenticity and local connection. Stirling’s high street today is a reflection of that — smaller, more independent and increasingly experience-driven. The boundaries between retail, workspace and social space are blurring.
At STEP, we’ve adapted where we can, repurposing space and rethinking layouts to reflect changing demand, but we also operate within the realities of planning policy and existing building suitability. It’s a careful balance between flexibility and preservation. Businesses themselves are still defining what they want from their workspace. Many are experimenting, testing new models and finding what fits. That’s why our approach remains ever-evolving: responsive, practical and grounded in the needs of those we support. At the same time, technology and innovation are transforming the way workplaces operate. From smart building systems and energy management tools to AI-assisted maintenance and digital booking platforms, the modern workspace is more connected and responsive than ever before.
Stirling’s appeal has always been its balance: a city large enough to drive growth, yet small enough to foster real connection. As investment continues across transport links, housing and digital infrastructure, that balance is only getting stronger. STEP is proud to play its part in ensuring the region has the right mix of space — not just for today’s businesses, but for those that will define Stirling’s future.
Today our sites, including Stirling Enterprise Park, Stirling Business Centre, Enterprise House, Kildean, Castlecraig Pavilon One, Ladder55 and Corner30 — are home to more than 200 businesses across multiple sectors. From manufacturers and digital specialists to food producers and creative entrepreneurs, these companies are part of a wider ecosystem that supports local jobs, drives innovation and strengthens the local economy.
The past ten years have shown what’s possible when property is more than bricks and mortar — when it’s part of a vision for community wealth, innovation and opportunity. The next ten will be about building on that foundation, together…
Looking Ahead: The Next Ten Years As we look to the decade ahead, the future of commercial space will continue to evolve — shaped by how people live, work and connect. What we once called “the workplace” is now far more fluid. The past few years have proven that one size no longer fits all. Businesses are choosing space that reflects their culture, their people and their purpose — whether that means a permanent headquarters, a flexible project base or a hybrid mix of physical and virtual working.
The traditional office model will continue to give way to more adaptable, multi-use environments. Demand for smaller, high-quality spaces is rising, particularly those that offer strong digital connectivity, energy efficiency and shared facilities that promote collaboration. Businesses want flexibility — shorter leases, scalable units and the ability to grow or contract quickly as markets change. We’re already seeing that shift across our portfolio, with more tenants requesting modular layouts, creative breakout zones and shared amenities.
At the same time, the line between workspace, wellbeing and community is blurring. The next generation of business spaces will need to do more than simply house people — they’ll need to support them. Expect to see more biophilic design, social spaces and outdoor areas that promote wellbeing and creativity. These elements aren’t luxuries anymore; they’re becoming essential to attracting and retaining talent.
Technology and AI will also play an increasingly central role. From smart building systems that automatically manage heating, lighting and energy consumption to AI-assisted booking and maintenance platforms, the buildings of the future will be more connected, efficient and user-focused.
At STEP, we’re already integrating smarter systems across our sites to improve energy use and enhance tenant experience — small changes that collectively make a big difference.
Sustainability will remain one of the defining themes of the next decade. As legislation tightens and awareness grows, businesses are demanding greener, more efficient spaces.
The focus will move from simply reducing emissions to creating circular, regenerative buildings that contribute positively to the environment.
Our ambition at STEP is to lead that charge locally — building on our existing environmental improvements and working towards formal accreditations that recognise our commitment to low-carbon operations.
Location and accessibility will continue to influence business decisions and in that respect Stirling has a clear advantage. Our central position, strong transport links and sense of community make it an ideal base for growing businesses. The next wave of developments will likely build on this — with increased investment in mixed-use sites that combine workspace, retail and leisure, providing a more integrated experience for employees and visitors alike.
Stirling itself is entering an exciting new chapter. The proposed film and television studio development at Forthside represents one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the city’s history. If realised, it will not only bring hundreds of jobs and a wave of creative industry investment but will also reposition Stirling as a national centre for media, production and innovation. The knock-on effect for local suppliers, hospitality businesses and creative professionals could be transformative. Combined with existing assets like STEP, it places Stirling firmly on the map as a place where creativity and commerce meet.
Of course, uncertainty will remain part of the landscape. The economy, technology and working culture will keep shifting — and so will we.
The past decade has definitely shown us that adaptability is our greatest strength. Over the next ten years, STEP will continue to invest in spaces that are as resilient as the businesses within them: sustainable, smart and shaped by the people who use them.
If the last decade was about transformation, the next will be about refinement and growth — fine-tuning what works, embracing innovation and ensuring Stirling remains a place where enterprise, creativity and opportunity thrive together.
