Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 10 December, 2012 - Business - Scotsman.com Scottish private sector struggles for growth in November SCOTLAND'S private sector economy grew marginally during "challenging" conditions last month, though the rate of expansion eased, a report out today reveals. Output rose slowly, employment was unchanged and cost pressures continued during November, according to Bank of Scotland's latest purchasing managers index (PMI) (Scotsman). The state-backed lender is tapping into the £80 billion Funding for Lending scheme to offer reduced-rate loans for UK firms looking to install energy-efficient heating and lighting, or to generate their own power from wind turbines (Scotsman). Pincer in Spanish export agreement SCOTTISH drinks firm Pincer Vodka has signed its second large export deal of the year. The Glasgow business has signed a five-year agreement with a distributor in Spain just months after beginning shipments to American distribution firm Double Eagle (Herald). Read all today's food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com Stead & Simpson to close 90 shoe stores The owner of shoe retailer Stead & Simpson is to close 90 stores following a "thorough review" of the business. The news is a further blow to Britain's beleaguered high street, which has seen a number of recent high-profile failures, including Clinton Cards, Comet, JJB Sports and Peacocks (Scotsman). TechCube, based at the former Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh, will be almost at full capacity when it holds its official launch event on Thursday (Scotsman). Read all today's technology news from scotsman.com Virgin to begin UK Heathrow flights Sir Richard Branson's airline Virgin Atlantic is poised to begin new domestic services from Heathrow Airport. Virgin plans to begin services on March 31 2013 and will primarily focus on multiple daily flights between Heathrow and Edinburgh and Aberdeen (Scotsman). Read all today's transport news from scotsman.com Read all today's banking news from scotsman.com Read all today's media and leisure news from scotsman.com Read all today's management news from scotsman.com Read all today's personal finance news from scotsman.com