The plan: to convert the old, derelict Burnbank Carpet Factory into quality business units. Here was a challenge. In other words, exactly what 63-year-old Jim McParlane was looking for.

“I tried retiring at 60,” explained Jim. “I had a stroke – a blood vessel collapsed in my head. I was lucky because I got over it.

“But I found that afterwards I wasn’t content just to relax and spend the days shopping with my wife. I’d been working all my life and I didn’t want to stop.”

Along came the chance to buy the old factory in Bertram Street and Jim realised he’d found the perfect project to keep him busy.

For a start, this was his first step into property refurbishment after running M and H Van Hire, in Blantyre, for 32 years.

On top of that was the state of the 26,000-square-foot building – which is now known as Lime Tree Properties. Jim explained: “The place was derelict. A lot of it was a real mess and there was water everywhere. It needed a fair bit of work.”

After removing an aeroplane fuselage left by an aviation firm which occupied part of the old factory, he set to work.

Jim said: “I have spend approximately £80-85,000 on upgrading the property. That included a lot of interior and electrical work. We put in central heating in some of the units. There were toilets to fit as well as extra work to bring it up to health and safety standards. There are seven units in total with six of them now completed.”

But it wasn’t just the interior that needed attention. According to Jim the external yard resembled a “swamp”.

To bring it up to scratch, the Company Development team at South Lanarkshire Council helped Jim access funding. Lime Tree falls within the Blantyre and North Hamilton Social Inclusion Partnership area. Therefore Jim was able to receive a Property Improvement Grant funded by SIPs as the project was creating workspace which would benefit local small businesses.

The grant helped create a car park for the businesses occupying the units as well as a concrete surface to cater for heavy vehicles requiring access to the rear of the building.

Jim has also erected a new fence and has planted hedging which will create a natural screen round the property when they mature.

“The grant was a big help. To be honest, I’ve been delighted with the service I’ve received when dealing with council staff,” said Jim.

Currently, four out of the six completed units are occupied. This includes a large unit used by Philip Freeman Mobile Welders for whom Jim fitted a special ceiling to meet fire safety requirements. Another tenant is the Lowe Refrigeration Company.

One of the quirks of the building is that it is divided up into units of varying size – but Jim believes this is one of Lime Tree Properties’ strengths.

He explained: “The units are all different shapes and sizes so they can cater for different types of business. We also offer variable leases so we are flexible enough to cover all sorts of needs.”

Business South Lanarkshire - Summer/ Autumn 2001

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