In the space of just a few months, Hillington Park’s majority landlords MEPC have successfully filled a large amount of office space at the estate which had recently become vacant.
Following the departure of financial outsource administrators Ceridian to Braehead in June, MEPC found itself with 22,000 sqft of vacant office space on its hands.
Ceridian had been located at Hillington Park for more than a decade, during which time the company expanded at regular intervals, taking on additional office accommodation within walking distance of its original location at Centura Court.
But Ceridian were keen to consolidate their personnel within a single building, and had been discussing the possibility of a newbuild headquarters within the proposed Nexus development on the M8 frontage of Hillington Park.
That possibility faded away with the economic recession, but the company was able to find itself an alternative accommodation at Braehead, and has now moved out of Hillington.
Their departure, however, was an opportunity for MEPC to demonstrate what managing director Grant Edmondson calls a ’can do’ attitude in its relationships with potential customers.
Now, the former Ceridian space has very quickly been filled following deals with McNicolas Construction, who will take over the whole of 1 Centura Court, while Amici Procurement will move into part of one of the other pavilions after relocating from Irvine.
The deal with McNicholas will significantly alter the company’s profile in Scotland. The Hertfordshire-headquartered utilities, communications, renewables and rail markets service provider has won a major contract in the south of England which will be controlled from its Scottish base, which was moved to Hillington from Bishopbriggs just two years ago.
But McNicholas Construction will shortly be moving again – this time within the Hillington estate, where it currently occupies mainly industrial premises in Earl Haig Road – to accommodate its expanding Scottish workforce.
The company has agreed a four-year deal with MEPC to take over both floors of an entire building at Centura Court, amounting to 10,000 sqft. And McNicholas has already started moving in to its smart and modern new Scottish headquarters, where it expects to double its current workforce of 35 within the next 12 months.
Ken Reavey, the Customer Experience Manager for McNicholas, told the Hillington Herald: “There’s no doubt that the estate’s infrastructure and facilities – and its proximity to Glasgow Airport – makes it an ideal location to ensure quick access to our customer areas. And Centura Court will project the right image for us when we entertain high-powered executives from our clients.”
The property move by McNicholas effectively doubles the rental value of the company’s presence at Hillington. Grant Edmondson added: “It’s another great example of why so many companies located here seem to enjoy growth and success. We were delighted that McNicholas moved here two years ago and even more pleased that they now want to expand and upgrade with us. The key for MEPC is to be able to offer competitive lease packages to attract businesses to HIllington and more importantly to retain them.”
And, as the Hillington Herald went to press, it was confirmed that Amici Procurement has signed a deal with MEPC that will facilitate their relocation from Irvine to 3 Centura Court.
The company provides cutting-edge sourcing solutions to companies across the Biotech industry, and recent innovations at Hillington Park and elsewhere in the central belt are thought to be behind the move to Scotland’s largest business estate.
Amici will occupy a suite of 2,374 sqft (220 sqm) which they have taken on a five-year lease. Part of the lease package included the fitting-out of the space to the company’s specification.
These are two of five office deals recently completed by MEPC at Hillington Park, which are detailed here, and there is said to be plenty of strong interest in the pipeline for other available office properties on the estate.
