Harris Finance, whose commercial property division has recently completed the development of two speculative industrial units at Clyde Gateway’s Rutherglen Links Business Park, has announced the purchase of a further four plots at the development.

The company bought the 2.5 acre Plot C in 2016 and has since invested £2.5 million in building two high quality speculative industrial/hybrid units of 20,000 sq. ft. and 10,000 sq. ft. respectively which have the potential to create 55 jobs for the local community. These units, which are now ready for immediate occupation, have already generated encouraging levels of interest from potential tenants.

Harris Finance has now confirmed the purchase of the entire upper platform comprising of Plots D, E, F and G, where they will invest a further £4.2m in building a further 53,000 sq. ft. of speculative industrial units thereby creating a further 80 jobs.

A family company based in Dalmarnock, the property division of Harris Finance has a successful local track record in speculatively building new commercial properties as well as refurbishing existing properties and in doing so the company has already brought more than 50 jobs to the Clyde Gateway area to date.

Harris Finance will commence development works on another speculative 13,000 sq. ft. industrial unit on Plot D within the coming weeks after which development will move onto Plots E, F and G with the final configuration of these remaining plots and the planned 40,000 sq. ft of industrial space to be driven by market demand.

Ian Manson, chief executive of Clyde Gateway, said: “This further private sector investment at Rutherglen Links is a real vote of confidence in the location and the wider Clyde Gateway area. Harris Finance already has a successful track record here, with its development of Plot C, and I have no doubt that that their long term commitment to Rutherglen Links Business Park will act as a catalyst as Clyde Gateway is fast becoming a preferred location for high growth companies in manufacturing, industrial and engineering sectors.”

Ross Harris, of Harris Finance, added: “We are pleased with the number of enquiries we’ve received for the first two buildings on Plot C at Rutherglen Links Business Park. Our additional commitment to develop the entire Upper Platform at Rutherglen Links is our vote of confidence in the work to transform the Clyde Gateway into the best place to do business in the city. In addition to the two buildings we have completed on Plot C, we are about to begin work to develop a speculative, high profile, 13,000 sq ft industrial building on Plot D which will have excellent visibility from the adjacent M74 motorway.

“We are confident that the strength of the location of Rutherglen Links Business Park combined with its excellent transport links and the high quality infrastructure and industrial buildings we are delivering will attract the best Companies to Rutherglen Links. We hope to be able to announce our first major letting shortly.”

Clyde Gateway was established to carry out the regeneration of 840 hectares across the east end of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire. Working in partnership with Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government, Clyde Gateway is driving forward £1.5 billion of private sector investment to establish this area as a hub of business activity.