FIRST OCCUPIER ANNOUNCED AT WESTPOINT BUSINESS PARK

FIRST OCCUPIER ANNOUNCED AT WESTPOINT BUSINESS PARK

Recently completed Westpoint business park will soon be welcoming its first occupier after the signing of a 10-year lease for more than 5,000 sq ft by a local shipping company.

Songa Shipmanagement Ltd, part of the Norwegian-based Blystad Shipping group, is the first occupier to take space at the Westpoint Business Park in Paisley, created by the Cart Corridor Joint Venture Company and delivered by global property group Goodman.

Songa’s 25 staff will relocate from Glasgow Airport Business Park in July 2010 to occupy the whole of Building 2 (5,216 sq ft) at Westpoint with 22 car parking spaces at a cost of £15.50 per sq ft.

Westpoint offers a flexible office environment and it’s close proximity to Glasgow International Airport and the M8 makes it an attractive location for both local businesses and those trading internationally. The business park is the first stage of a wider mixed-use regeneration scheme, which when completed will also incorporate modern community facilities and residential developments.

Niall McGilp, Goodman’s Regional Development Director in Scotland, said: “The arrival of Songa at the Westpoint Business Park is an important milestone for what is a significant investment into the regeneration of this part of Renfrewshire.

“Due to the site’s excellent location on junction 28 of the M8 and the significant investment in the area, there has been a strong level of interest in Westpoint. Songa’s arrival is the first in what we hope to be a series of good news stories for the business park.
“We look forward to welcoming the staff at Songa and making their move into the building as seamless as possible.”

From its building at Westpoint, Songa will be responsible for the operation of the company’s 25 strong fleet of vessels located throughout the world.

Stuart Gallagher at Songa Shipmanagement Ltd, said: “We are more than delighted with the standard of building provided. Due to our expansion it was deemed necessary to source new good quality premises and the assistance provide by both Goodman and Renfrewshire Council greatly assisted us in securing these premises.”

Council Leader Derek Mackay welcomed Songa Shipmanagement Limited to Renfrewshire commenting that he was “glad that we were able to help with an economic development support package and hoped that this would be the first of many new businesses attracted to the superb accommodation now available at Westpoint Business Park, adjacent to Glasgow International Airport.”

The Westpoint Business Park was opened by John Swinney MSP, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, in September 2009. Phase one of the park comprises 50,000 sq feet of modern office accommodation spread across five buildings; when fully developed, Westpoint Business Park will extend to over 200,000 sq.ft. of new business space.

Tim Jacobsen, Associate at property agents Ryden, added: “Securing Songa as the first occupier is excellent news for the park and the wider area. The high quality office accommodation on offer is well received by occupiers and is attracting a good amount of interest.”

The site was developed as part of a unique public/private sector partnership comprising Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, RBS and Goodman.