Retail and Office Development Takes a Step Closer

Hamilton's latest retail and office development took a step closer to completion recently when South Lanarkshire Council leader, Eddie McAvoy, performed a topping out ceremony.

Councillor McAvoy bolted a plaque to the new Princes Gate development which is located next to ASDA within Hamilton Town Square.

He said: “This new office and retail space will provide local businesses with much-needed office accommodation while further enhancing the town square. We are delighted to have been involved in bringing this development to Hamilton and congratulate Development Options (Hamilton) for the superb quality of this facility.”

The project was put together by Development Options (Hamilton) - a Joint Venture Company formed by the Watson Construction Group Ltd and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Part of the £215 million Hamilton Ahead Initiative, the new building will provide business accommodation for up to 300 jobs.

Alistair Kettles, Commercial Director of the Watson Construction Group, said: “The Princes Gate building forms an integral part of Hamilton’s new town square development and offers high specification office and retail accommodation at out of town prices.

“The town square is the ideal business and retail location, with a wide range of commercial, retail and cultural facilities planned for the area. These include a six screen multiplex cinema and restaurant, a 4/5 star hotel scheduled for completion and an arts centre and library.”

The development is due for completion in October 2000.

Car Park and Farners Market Proposed for Townhead Street

Hamilton's Townhead Street is to get a new 140 space temporay car park.

Situated on the site of the former Odeon cinema, the car park, which will be built by the Council in partnership with Standard Life, will operate for a minimum of two years.

Work on the new car park began at the end of May for completion by the end of July. The car park will complement the ongoing Old Cross/Townhead Streetscape works which will be completed in September and give pedestrian priority to Townhead Street and the Old Cross.

As well as the new car park, the Council is currently looking at introducing a monthly Farmers’ Market in Townhead Street from the end of July. This pilot initiative has been well received by both the National Farmers Union and local traders.

Councillor Eddie McAvoy, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The Council recognises the problems of the fall in trade suffered by Townhead Street retailers since the closure of both the Odeon cinema and the road at its junction with Blackswell Lane. This new car park development project was put together specifically to encourage shoppers back into that area of the town centre until the Regent Shopping Centre extension can be put in place.

“In addition to the car park, the Council is currently looking at the feasibility of a Farmers’ Market which will be held in Townhead Street on a monthly basis. The market will not only benefit local traders, but will give our farming community a welcome boost by providing them with another means of selling their products.”

Before work begins, the Council contracted Reigard Contracts Ltd to demolish the former Odeon cinema building which was closed last year by Rank as part of their UK-wide rationalisation plans. The demolition work was completed at the end of May 2000. A number of other feasibility works were also undertaken to promote an extension scheme of the Regent Shopping Centre, including a Retail Demand Study which established the up-to-date requirements for additional retail floorspace in Hamilton.

The entire cost of the project including demolition works, car park construction and ongoing feasibility work amounts to £290,000.

Business South Lanarkshire - Summer 2000

Return to Magazine Back Issue Index

Site Map