THE JR Group is helping to breathe new life into a Govan street where the firm’s MD played football as a child!
Work is underway on the creation of 43 new affordable flats on Nimmo Drive – a stone’s throw away from where John Horne grew up. This year also marks 30 years since he established the business in Govan in 1995.
Originally founded as a scaffolding company, The JR Group expanded into construction in 2016 and is now helping local authorities and housing associations to build affordable properties across Scotland, including in Govan for Elderpark Housing Association.
John said, “I have very happy memories of growing up in Govan and Nimmo Drive in particular. I used to kick my football against the wall of the former Elderpark community centre building which has been demolished to make way for the flats and the primary school I attended is on the same street.
“I used to dream of becoming a professional football player while practicing my ‘left foot, right foots’ against the wall and that dream came true when I played for Clydebank, Hamilton Academical, and Leicester before leaving football to become a scaffolder and then establishing my business.
“In the early years of the business, I used to rent space at The Elderpark Workspace on the very same street. I couldn’t have imagined then that The JR Group would now be building homes and reinvigorating this very site at Nimmo Drive.
“It is a very proud moment for me to be involved in this regeneration project in Govan particularly as we celebrate 30 years of the business this year. It feels very poignant to be bringing our first project in Govan to life now and has definitely made me take stock of where we started and how much the business has grown.”
The Nimmo Drive project will being a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments split across two blocks on a derelict site. Works will also include lift access at both blocks, sustainable heating throughout the homes, amenity space, and internal and external bike storage for residents.
The JR Group has supported neighbouring Connie’s Community Centre by installing new electric roller shutters on the centre. The centre host a number of events for locals including pipe band practice, AA meetings, bingo, pensioner lunches, and the Braveheart Cardiac Rehab programme.
The centre is looked after by caretaker George Gallacher, who said, “It’s wonderful to see the investment in the area from The JR Group bringing it back to life and it will be fantastic to see Nimmo Drive welcome new families once the apartments are ready. The fact that the regeneration is coming from one of our own who grew up here makes it extra special. I remember John as a child and I am delighted to see the business he has worked hard to build be so successful and playing a vital role in reinvigorating the area.
“His company very generously arranged new roller shutters for us which has helped to ensure our premises remain safe and secure.”
The company also donated money to support the summer camp at Benburb Football Club to help cover the cost of inflatables and other activities for young people attending the camp during the school holidays.
The flats are expected to be completed next year.
