Alloa is a town within Clackmannanshire, set within the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on the north bank of the Firth of Forth near to the foot of the Ochil Hills, 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometres) east of Stirling and 7.9 miles (12.7 kilometres) north of Falkirk. The name possibly means 'rock plain'. During the 2001 census, Alloa had a resident population of 18,989. Improvements had been made to the harbour throughout the eighteenth century, resulting in Alloa thriving as a river port by which the items manufactured in Glasgow were exported to continental Europe. At that time, and until the 1950s, the principle industry to the north and east of the town was coal mining. Wool has also always been plentiful in the region and in the early years of the 1800s, John Paton set up a modest yarn-spinning enterprise within the town, later establishing Kilncraigs Mill. His business merged with J. & J. Baldwin of Halifax in 1924 to become the world-famous Paton & Baldwins Ltd. Alloa was well known for its weaving and glassmaking industries throughout the 19th and into the early 20th century. Alloa has long been related to the brewing sector, with at least nine major breweries producing ales at its height. It was also home to a distillery. Following the closure of the distillery, barrel production has continued to flourish in the town. The town has a bustling shopping centre, with nationally recognised supermarket chains on the site of the old distillery, near to the railway station. For all your home improvements, make certain that you utilise trustworthy professionals in Alloa to make sure you receive the highest quality work.