The afternoon began with a visit to the local Burger King; this was followed by a brief training session provided by the Estates landscape gardeners. Pupils, wielding an assortment of trowels and rakes, planted all the trees in record time, closely watched by their proud teachers. A great afternoon was had by all.
If you would like some more information about this initiative you can visit the Woodland trust website at http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
The expanding multi-outlet Scottish-based bedroom furnishing company, founded in 2001, was attracted to the opportunity and showroom potential of the premises at 442 Hillington Road, which was previously occupied by Auto Windscreens.
In addition to the 8,500 square feet of showroom space, Archers Sleepcentre are leasing a further 12,700 square feet of storage space at two units in Colquhoun Avenue. The storage units are the subject of three-year lease agreements.
Andrew Kerr, the MEPC Asset Manager at Hillington Park, said: “The premises at 442 Hillington Road were only vacated by the previous occupier on 1 February 2011 and, from the outset, we have worked closely with Archers Sleepcentre to get the property back into good lettable condition and to meet their requirement for entry by mid March. We are delighted to have achieved this and now to have Archers Sleepcentre’s presence at Hillington Park in what is widely recognised as one of Glasgow’s premier business locations.”
Ian Archibald, the Managing Director of Archers Sleepcentre, added: “MEPC have been completely understanding of our requirements, and we are delighted to be able to open our tenth Scottish showroom in such a visible location at Hillington in a very short timescale”
The quick turnaround and flexibility of approach re-emphasises the ability of MEPC’s management at Hillington Park to maintain an exceptionally low rate of void space, even in the prevailing economic environment.
James Barr & Son acted on behalf of the MEPC.
Exova Ltd have taken a 10-year lease on a modern unit of 20,818 square feet in Montrose Avenue, completed just three years ago, after Alpha Analytical, the company that originally occupied the premises, ceased trading.
The terms of the deal involve a stepped rental rising to £5.75 per square foot. Exova received significant incentives to reflect their taking on the unit in its existing condition, since they can re-use much of Alpha Analytical’s laboratory, office and storage fit-out.
Exova, which has 110 laboratories in 24 countries, began life 30 years ago at Newbridge, West Lothian, where they still have their office headquarters. But the move to Hillington will make this one of their most important centres of activity.
So delighted are they by the quality of the building and its fittings that they immediately decided to move all 33 of their staff from their current Clydebank premises, and are laying plans for significant expansion over the next few years.
Douglas Weir, the site's general manager, said: "The staff have already visited Hillington and are greatly excited at the prospect of the move, which will take place before the end of March."
"What interested me most was the fact that 40% of the floor space in the building was still void, and would accommodate our expansion ambitions," said Mr Weir. "We plan ultimately to fill the space with additional services, and generate growth for the community. We expect to increase our staff at Hillington by around a third over the next 24 months."
Grant Edmondson, managing director of landlords MEPC Hillington Park, said: "We’re delighted to have attracted a market-leading multi-national company like Exova to Hillington Park.
"We faced a major problem when Alpha Analytical entered liquidation, leaving a large unit with a huge amount of specialist fit-out. But Exova saw the opportunity to expand their operations in the Glasgow area, and we were able to agree a deal which suited both parties."
In 2010, MEPC's operation at Hillington Park managed a remarkably sustained level of business in what has generally been reckoned to be a difficult market. "We concluded 41 new lettings totalling 107,000 sq ft, with a rental value of £639,000," said Mr Edmondson.
"Against that, we had 47 units totalling 126,000 sq ft being vacated through the year as a result of expiries, consolidations and, in particular, insolvencies. So void stock at Hillington has hardly changed, amounting to 5% by area by the year's end."
High-tech truck- and trailer-side advertising specialists Agripa Solutions have relocated across the road into bigger premises at 43 Colquhoun Avenue, which had just been extensively refurbished. And Insutech Scotland Ltd, a leading fabricator and installer of curtain walling and commercial windows, have moved into larger premises at 10 Watt Road.
Another company moving within the estate is Armstrong Commercial Laundry, which has relocated from Earl Haig Road into more modern premises at Unit 5 of the Kelvin Gate development off Kelvin Avenue.
Kelvin Gate has also attracted another new arrival to Hillington Park, namely Pilot Gas Services, who have taken up residence in Unit 10.
Of the new arrivals, Wates Living Space, one of the UK’s leading affordable housing construction services, have moved their Scottish office to 26 Kelvin Ave, sharing the accommodation with window specialists Superseal.
Elsewhere to the west of Hillington Road, kitchen unit refurbishment company Reface Scotland Ltd has taken up space at 32 Napier Road, while Crocatile have added 33 Watt Road to their accommodation.
In the eastern part of Hillington Park, Barr Vehicle Services have arrived at 35 Hepburn Road, while Elite Coffee Distributors are now settled nearby at 41 Hepburn Road.
Recent lease renewals have been agreed with computer-based steel and stone engravers Jetcut at 37 Hepburn Road, and Power Technology Solutions can be found at 22 Earl Haig Road.
New office customers now resident at the estate include facility managers FES Ltd, in Suite 6 at The Arc, and Retail Sales Solutions, who have taken on an additional office in Suite 6 at the Merlin Business Centre.
Over 80 ‘athletes’, including family members, took part in the challenge, which comprised an 11-mile walk, run, cycle or other ‘self-propelled’ transport round the island of Cumbrae, which is situated in the Firth of Clyde.
Bob James, business development manager, who cycled round the course, said: “A fabulous day was had by all; everyone got into the team spirit and helped each other along, and the sun shone all day long.”
A few weeks later, John Moore, managing director for Hillington Park-based BBES (left) and Simon Lafferty, managing director of the projects division, presented the cheque to Abigail Stein, corporate and events fund-raiser for Yorkhill.
Abigail said: “We are delighted that the team from BBES chose to support the Children’s Foundation and raised this fantastic amount of money. The Foundation provides enhanced medical equipment and resources which benefit sick children and babies who are treated at Yorkhill Hospital and within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
“These can include innovative medical equipment, improvements in child and family facilities, and paediatric research and training. In recent times, scanners, incubators, ventilators, monitors and many more examples of equipment, services and research have been added to the hospital’s resources.
“All are at work helping to make sick kids better, and the money raised by the BBES team will help us to continue our work supporting sick children and their families.”
Two established Hillington Park companies have relocated into larger premises, defying the doom and gloom of the recent and possibly continuing economic recession.
High-tech truck- and trailer-side advertising specialists Agripa Solutions have relocated across the road into bigger premises at 43 Colquhoun Avenue, which had just been extensively refurbished. And Insutech Scotland Ltd, a leading fabricator and installer of curtain walling and commercial windows, have moved into larger premises at 10 Watt Road.
Another company moving within the estate is Armstrong Commercial Laundry, which has relocated from Earl Haig Road into more modern premises at Unit 5 of the Kelvin Gate development off Kelvin Avenue.
Kelvin Gate has also attracted another new arrival to Hillington Park, namely Pilot Gas Services, who have taken up residence in Unit 10.
Of the new arrivals, Wates Living Space, one of the UK’s leading affordable housing construction services, have moved their Scottish office to 26 Kelvin Ave, sharing the accommodation with window specialists Superseal.
Elsewhere to the west of Hillington Road, kitchen unit refurbishment company Reface Scotland Ltd has taken up space at 32 Napier Road, while Crocatile have added 33 Watt Road to their accommodation.
In the eastern part of Hillington Park, Barr Vehicle Services have arrived at 35 Hepburn Road, while Elite Coffee Distributors are now settled nearby at 41 Hepburn Road.
Recent lease renewals have been agreed with computer-based steel and stone engravers Jetcut at 37 Hepburn Road, and Power Technology Solutions can be found at 22 Earl Haig Road.
New office customers now resident at the estate include facility managers FES Ltd, in Suite 6 at The Arc, and Retail Sales Solutions, who have taken on an additional office in Suite 6 at the Merlin Business Centre.
