Work Complete on £700,000 Business Unit Development at Gretna
The South of Scotland has just benefited from the completion of a new £700,000 business units development at Kirtle Place in Gretna. The facilities, which are to be formally opened by David Mundell MP and Elaine Murray MSP on 3 May 2013, have been project managed by Scottish Enterprise and funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Scottish Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.
They provide modern, sustainable and energy efficient business space for small firms with growth potential. The six new units are located on a former car park site at Kirtle Place in Gretna, which was donated by Dumfries and Galloway Council. The new units are anticipated to achieve a BREEAM sustainability rating of Very Good.
Ross McWhirter, of Scottish Enterprise’s business infrastructure team said: “This marks an important milestone in the provision of new sustainable business accommodation for the South of Scotland.
“These attractive new units will enhance the availability of much needed business space in the region to allow ambitious companies with growth potential the space to grow. It is vital that we and our partners help enhance the business infrastructure in the region to provide further accommodation for companies to expand and diversify.”
Bill Hamilton head of NDA Communications said - “This development will provide much-needed business space in the Gretna-Lockerbie-Annan Corridor, helping to leave a positive legacy in the area when decommissioning work at Chapelcross is completed.”
Councillor Ian Carruthers, Chair of the Council’s Planning, Housing and Environment Committee said: “I am so glad the Council donated land to make this project possible. Despite these tough economic times, there are many businesses in the area looking for quality premises and in some cases they want to expand. These new units have been built to be sustainable and low energy, so any business moving in should benefit from reduced overheads.”
David Mundell MP said: “Gretna is the gateway to Scotland and an ideal location in Dumfriesshire for young companies looking to capitalise on its good links not just within the region, but across southern Scotland and England’s north west. These new units fill a much needed gap in the local market, proving modern, sustainable and energy efficient business space that can be utilised by companies with growth potential. Locally this is an important boost for our economy in the Gretna-Annan area, and I am delighted that D&G council, working in partnership with other agencies, have been able to provide high-quality business premises which not only fit the needs of companies but in doing so help to create new jobs locally.”
It is widely recognised that to promote economic development and competitiveness, the South of Scotland requires a portfolio of good quality business land and premises in appropriate locations with good transport connectivity to meet the demands of growing businesses and key industries.
These facilities are designed to help address weaknesses in business land supply and infrastructure and will help retain existing businesses in rural areas, create new jobs and support diversification of the rural economy.