CONSTRUCTION is underway at three new units at Clyde Gateway East in Glasgow’s east end after a Scottish Government minister officially broke ground on the project.
Joe FitzPatrick MSP, minister for local government empowerment and planning, hailed the investment as a shot in the arm for the Glasgow economy. The business park is the city’s newest advanced manufacturing destination and has already attracted businesses such as Glacier Energy Services, Torishima Service Solutions Europe, Network Rail and BT Open Reach.
Work begins only a few months after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway was signed, aimed at unlocking investment, including the £2.4 million of funding to develop the three new units, which are expected to be completed next summer.
Overall the MoU hopes to leverage up to £16 million of support from Scottish Enterprise towards a planned £60 million construction programme over the next five years, with £4 million funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and £950,000 from Glasgow City Council’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.
The three new units will total 57,791 sqft of space with car, EV and cycle parking. Each unit includes secure yardage, low energy lighting, air source heat pumps, PV panels on the roof and a fibre connection. The buildings will be able to access a ‘Smart Grid’, described as improving the ‘efficiency, reliability and economics’ of an organisation’s needs.
The investment is being led by Clyde Gateway, which said that, this far in advance of practical completion, there may be the opportunity for bespoke modifications to meet specific occupier requirements. A design team is on hand to assist.
The business park lies within an area qualifying for Tier 2 Regional Selective Assistance, meaning occupants could be eligible for a contribution of up to 35% towards establishing a new manufacturing facility there.
Joe FitzPatrick said, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Clyde Gateway to see the transformation that has taken place in the area over recent years and help to break ground on these new industrial units. The Scottish Government recognises Clyde Gateway is an excellent example of place-based regeneration and we have provided almost £5 million from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund to support this latest development.
“We are committed to investing in local communities to prepare them for a sustainable future. Clyde Gateway will create significant job opportunities for local people in the east end of Glasgow, helping to mitigate the impact of the closure of the McVitie’s biscuit factory at Tollcross.”
Martin McKay, chief executive of Clyde Gateway, added, “We have been working at pace to take this MoU with Scottish Enterprise and turn it into real world investment in a very short space of time. So far Clyde Gateway East has been fully let to a range of high calibre manufacturers and businesses and these new units will lead to more investment into the east end of Glasgow and create more high quality jobs. Businesses are understandably more and more conscious of their commitment to a wellbeing economy and these buildings have been designed with this in mind.”
Gillian Adam, head of innovation and place at Scottish Enterprise, commented, “Advanced manufacturing will be one of Scotland’s key industries of the future and will help deliver future prosperity for our communities. Scottish Enterprise is working with our partners to help create an environment in which it can thrive. We have been working with Clyde Gateway to deliver this investment at Clyde Gateway East and we are delighted with how quickly the construction is going ahead.”
