Greenock-based businessmen Sandy and James Easdale have added to their burgeoning commercial property portfolio by acquiring a huge Inverclyde site formerly occupied by a global packaging manufacturer.

The owners of the McGill’s Group bus company clinched a deal to purchase the 5.42-acre site as efforts continue to rejuvenate the port of Greenock. Peel Ports recently unveiled two new ship-to-shore cranes following an investment of £25 million.

The property taken over by the Easdales was formerly owned by Berry bpi, and for many years prior had been home to British Polythene Industries (BPI), which was sold to packaging giant RPC for £261 million in 2016.

RPC was acquired by Berry Global in 2019. However subsidiary Berry bpi announced the closure of the Greenock factory in August 2023, citing a downturn in demand from customers in the construction, industrial packaging and healthcare sectors. Scores of jobs were lost.

The large industrial complex, which was originally developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, spans nearly 120,000 square feet. It includes a two-storey office block and a series of inter-connected industrial buildings of varying age and construction, as well as a yard and car parking areas.

James Easdale said: “Our family have always been very close business-wise to the waterfront and we have been watching intently as it is clear that major players such as Inverclyde Council and Peel are determined to take the port back to its glory days.”

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Brother Sandy Easdale noted: “Technically speaking the Berry site wasn’t actually on the market but we made an approach, and it’s all come together. We are in no doubt that as the waterfront activity multiplies there is going to be a huge demand for support jobs and services, and we will be ideally placed to provide accommodation and working space for companies big and small who want to be part of the action.

“It’s a pity we didn’t get freeport status from the previous government however if government won’t help us it’s up to us to help ourselves.”

The Easdales have added the site to an increasingly large property estate now understood to be worth more than £800m. Last week, the brothers announced the acquisition of a major residential development in the upmarket village of Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, which has planning permission for 64 homes.

The housing development, which has planning permission from Inverclyde Council, will take place on the historic site of Balrossie, built originally in 1899 by the Sailor’s Orphans Society of Scotland. The site spans approximately 30.6 acres and is currently in a state of disrepair, having lain vacant since 2004.

Sandy Easdale said last week: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to take forward the Balrossie site and bring it back to life. Our vision is to create a high-quality residential community that respects the heritage of the site while providing much-needed housing for the area. This is a long-term project that will revitalise the site and create lasting value for the community.

“Kilmacolm is known for its scenic beauty and strong sense of community and by creating new housing, we aim to enhance what is already a fantastic place to live.”

The Easdales’ portfolio includes the former Tullis Russell paper mill in Glenrothes, where the duo are developing 850 homes, and the 70-acre former IBM site in Greenock, which has planning consent in place for 450 homes. Work is also under way on 81 homes at the former St Michael’s Primary School in Dumbarton.