The importance of the clothing trade has been recognised by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Development Agency who have helped firms to access public sector funding and assistance with business development to improve their positions.

The Glasgow Clothing Industry Development Programme, funded by the council, GDA and the European Regional Development Fund, promotes a range of initiatives to support these small apparel businesses.

It works with a target group of companies to help them develop their potential, providing specialist advice from staff with long industry experience able to develop custom-made programmes with companies and training initiatives for their workforce.

Existing financial services of the council and the GDA are used to encourage companies to invest in design, new production techniques and accessing new markets.

This is supported by a trade development service which includes arranging stands at trade shows, promoting products made in Glasgow to major retail chains, and working with the council and GDA to maximise the benefits to these firms of attending events like The Clothes Show Live and Made In Scotland.

The programme has more than 70 client companies, has put designers into some to improve product ranges and put marketing graduates into others. It has helped companies to attend UK trade fairs, exhibit at the London Clothing Showroom, develop new market literature and prepare business plans.

It has also launched the Glasgow Clothing Collection Directory which it circulated to the buyers of every national retail chain in Europe.