The History of Ceteris: A Timeline of Growth and Impact in Central Scotland
Founded in December 1984 as the Alloa and Clackmannan Enterprise Trust, Ceteris was established to address the economic challenges following the decline of heavy industries in the area. With the closure of coal mines, mills from the textile industry and even distilleries and breweries, the deindustrialisation of Clackmannanshire had a huge impact on the local economy.
Our founding mission was to drive business growth and deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits in Clackmannanshire and we have been doing just that for 40 years. Now with a presence across the Forth Valley, our ambition is to grow further and make a big impact across Central Scotland.
40 Years in the Market and Still Hot Property!
Our mission may have remained the same over the last four decades but our ambitions and our property portfolio has grown.
As old industries declined, we have taken over or reinvented what had gone before.
1992:
Out of the dying embers of the old coal mining industry, we purchased our first property in Alloa – the former National Coal Board building. Located near the old colliery ‘wagonway’ railway network, the site is now Alloa Business Centre and home to 32 businesses and their employees.
(1952 photo showing ABC in top left of photo, image below as redeveloped in 1990’s).
1993:
Redevelopment of the old Alloa Bus Depot into the Alloa Trade Centre offering a vast 37,000 sq ft of industrial, garage and trade counter space available to local dance groups like Alloa Ballet Company to national businesses like Howdens.
1996-2000:
A major redevelopment project transformed the site of the old Carsebridge Distillery into quality office space and industrial units at Cooperage Way Business Park and the e-Centre, creating a modern home for over 40 businesses ranging from biotech firms to IT companies.
1996:
Ceteris began delivering Business Gateway services in Clackmannanshire, providing expert advice, training, and resources to help local businesses thrive. Wrap-around business support services help 200 organisations annually, fostering growth and innovation
2001:
We expanded beyond Clackmannanshire for the first time with the purchase of Springfield House business centre in Stirling.
2016:
The first Business Week was launched, fostering collaboration and innovation among businesses in the region and is still going strong today, with events attended by over 300 delegates and attracting sponsors including Robertson Group and Techscaler.
2023:
As part of our journey to net zero, we installed solar panels across five sites to save energy and cut our carbon emissions.
A Place Where Businesses Come to Grow
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250 tenants across 21 properties in 10 sites in the Forth Valley.
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200 businesses supported annually, employing 1,500 people.
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Contributing £390m of Gross Value Add and created 636 full-time equivalent jobs for Scotland’s economy.
Looking to the future
2025: We’re responding to business demand and developing a new storage village to add a new type of property to our portfolio.
Ceteris remains committed to building a brighter future for Central Scotland—one that fosters sustainable growth, empowers communities, and honours the region’s industrial heritage while embracing innovation.
