A versatile new facility in Airdrie is a contract-free way to present your small business, says Bob Serafini

Airdrie Business Centre  is offering a new ‘pop-up’ office facility aimed at allowing individuals, home workers and small operations to present a more professional business face without having to commit to expensive leases.

The idea is perfect for flexible working – people can just bring along their laptop and try out a specially fitted out area with docking stations. There are no contracts, rental agreements, or excessive paperwork. The ‘plug and play’ style facility gives folk access to modern office space as and when they need it.

There is a comfortable desk and chair in a professional office environment, high speed internet and wifi access, free phone calls to local numbers, free printing, faxing and scanning and unlimited water, tea and coffee.

Add in professional reception staff and availability of meeting rooms, and you’ve got it all. If your business takes off, the centre has 40 small office suites from 180 to 1400 sq ft to cater for expansion.

This is the brainchild of North Lanarkshire Properties, the innovative arms length limited liability company created by the local council two years ago which now looks after more than 900 commercial properties in the area, including office, industrial, and retail.

General manager David Baird explained the real ethos behind the main business centre, where rents start at £11 per sq ft, was to meet a need from small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, who can take advantage of short term flexible leases.

A similar month-to-month type approach is also available within the industrial portfolio, at Lenziemill, Cumbernauld, where units from 200 to 1200 sq ft can be rented for £5 to £6 per sq ft.

While the organisation’s primary focus is on this economic development and SME market, it also has some larger industrial space available, including the 25,000 sq ft 9-15 Napier Place, Wardpark North, which could attract a national operator.

Chance to get to the point

Tool and equipment hire company HSS has taken a 5000 sq ft unit at The Point, Hamiltonhill, in Glasgow’s Port Dundas, joining a number of existing trade counter operators including Euro Car Parts, Screwfix and Howden as well as anchor tenant SeeWoo Cash and Carry.

Michael McDowall of L&S said an 11,000 sq ft unit with flexible planning consents had just become available at this established location not far from the city centre. Rents are in the region of £6 per sq ft.

Engineers expand at Cumbernauld

Leading UK engineering company Thomson Pettie has become the latest occupier to expand its interests at Wardpark Industrial Estate, Cumbernauld.

The company, which provides metal fabrications to the bus, truck, renewables and construction sectors, has taken a further 36,000 sq ft of space in addition to its existing 72,000 sq ft facility at Tollpark Road. Landlords London and Scottish Property have begun marketing a 10,000 sq ft retail and amenity centre at the estate’s Napier Court, which will include nursery, take-away café, bistro with outside seating, and convenience store.

The company is also investing in refurbishment at Wardpark Tradepark, where planned improvements include landscaping, lighting, car parking and upgrading units.

Wardpark is one of Central Scotland’s largest industrial estates, providing work for 2000 people, and provides a mix of property ranging from 2000 to 72,000 sq ft, primarily in distribution, manufacturing and warehousing.

L & S asset manager Michael McDowall said: “Wardpark remains an attractive destination for companies looking to be located close to the motorway network and with the variety of our ownership we are able to offer tenants flexibility and ability to upscale.”

Commuters set to head for the hills

A major residential development opportunity at the foot of the Campsie Fells has gone on the market.The 12.3 acre site (pictured right) with capacity for up to 115 homes, forms the second phase of the successful Campsie Village development at Lennoxtown.

Located close to Celtic FC’s training ground, it lies within the grounds of the former Lennox Castle Hospital and is being brought to the market by JLL on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Nina Stobie of the agents said: “This is an exciting opportunity for developers, with the site fully serviced and key infrastructure already in place. Lennoxtown is an excellent out of town location for commuters, 12 miles north of Glasgow.”

The site runs parallel to the A891 road, connecting Lennoxtown with Strathblane, Milton of Campsie and Kirkintilloch. Nearby stations at Bishopbriggs and Milngavie offer direct links to Glasgow.

The wider masterplan for Campsie Village shows a residential development area of 46 acres, providing up to 320 units, with the current south east area bounded by mature woodland.

Homes to date have been developed by Mactaggart and Mickel, who built 76 detached and semi-detached units on a 10.9 acre site.

New Vale of Leven industrial units sign first tenants      

West Dunbartonshire Council are making inroads into the undersupply of modern business space in the Dumbarton area.

A new £1.8 million development of 13 small industrial units at Vale of Leven Industrial Estate (above) has signed up two local occupiers even before it is completed next month.

The light industrial, storage or distribution properties come in three sizes: 750, 1130 and 1507 sq ft, priced from £5000 pa upwards.

Director Richard Cairns said he was looking forward to seeing expanding businesses move into the workshops, bringing jobs and economic benefits to the area. The venture was jointly funded with the Scottish Government.

Early interest in new Westfield units

Given the excellence of its connectivity for logistics and distribution, close to the intersection of the M80 and M73 motorways, it’s no surprise that JLL report there is already interest in two large industrial units at Westfield Industrial Estate, Cumbernauld.Columbia Threadneedle, who are open to selling or leasing the properties, have already refurbished an 47,691 sq ft standalone warehouse unit at 5 Grayshill Road, with 6.9m eaves height, secure yard, car parking and 11,000 sq ft of office space over two levels.

A second 80,000 sq ft property at 1 Grayshill Road, again with secure yardage and 9000 sq ft of offices, is about to undergo a similar upgrade.

Purchasers can expect to pay £25 per sq ft capital value or £20 for the larger unit, with leases available at £3.50 per sq ft and £3 respectively.