Businesses take active interest

to attract companies looking to modernise their businesses through

relocation to more suitable new property.

For example, Van Leer is moving out of its post-war factory at

Camperdown, forming a new company, Tay Flexible Packaging, to lease the

30,000 sq ft Carmichael Building, which is also being extended for it.

Another company which has moved out of post-war space, this time on

Dunsinane, is Samuel Bruce. It has taken the 22,000 sq ft Watson Watt

Building.

Over on West Pitkerro, we have sold a 16,500 sq ft factory for the

expansion of D&V Supplies, a pet products distributor. Bonspiel

Engineering has doubled its factory space in the city by leasing a 4000

sq ft unit from JW Muir Property Investments. Top Hat Foods has extended

its existing factory by some 13,750 sq ft to satisfy increasing demand

for its products. United Artists is to move from its former jute mill

premises on Brown Street to take about 16,000 sq ft from the District

Council close to the new 20,000 sq ft Ravensby glass factory.

Schlumberger's new facility totalling some 80,000 sq ft is also nearing

completion.

All this activity on West Pitkerro has brought interest from

developers and Scottish Metropolitan Property has drawn up plans for a

five-acre site fronting Arbroath Road. Enquiries are invited from

prospective purchasers/tenants. For immediate occupation, however, we

have a range of workshop units from 750 sq ft to 2000 sq ft on Barlow

Park, fronting West Pitkerro, opposite the Michelin tyre factory.

In the Technology Park, negotiations are underway with a local company

in respect of the 40,000 sq ft building next to General Accident.

Liverpool and Victoria has leased 2500 sq ft next to ScottishPower in

Building Five. Building Two of 10,000 sq ft is currently under offer to

a property investment company. Meanwhile, another floor has been let in

the Delta Centre, this time to Lambda Automotive, which is pioneering

new diagnostic equipment for the car industry. Other recent lettings

include further expansion by DMA Design which has taken a 5000 sq ft

unit next to its existing premises in Discovery House.

In the city centre, National Westminster Bank has signed up for ground

and first floor space in No 1 Courthouse Square, an office refurbishment

involving Scottish Enterprise Tayside. The bank's decision to choose

this building highlights the quality of the accommodation provided and

its excellent location. Keen interest is expected in the remainder of No

1 Courthouse Square.

The Bank of Scotland's new regional headquarters is also making its

imposing mark as construction continues apace on the corner of

Nethergate/Marketgait.

Work gets underway this summer on the #4m phased refurbishment of the

Overgate Shopping Centre and, following a break over the Christmas

trading period, is scheduled for completion next summer. The scheme by

owner Molyneux Estates will bring the Overgate, which was the first

shopping centre of its type in Scotland, into the nineties and help

maintain the shopping balance between the east and west of the city

centre. A number of leases for empty shop units are currently being

negotiated and increased competition for the remaining few is

anticipated.

Round in Bank Street, the ground floor of the former Courier Buildings

has been converted into five new shops. One has already been let one to

a hairdresser and two further units are under offer.

Another exciting project in prospect is the redevelopment of the

former Gaumont cinema opposite the Wellgate Shopping Centre, most

recently occupied by County Bingo. Originally known as the King's

Theatre, locally based developer Michael Johnston has purchased the

property and is considering plans for a prestigious scheme.