With a B-Listed church spire as a reception area, the new Rutherglen Enterprise Centre will be nothing if not stylish once completed. Looks, however, are likely to be among the least of its charms as far as prospective tenants are concerned.

It is situated slap, bang in the middle of Rutherglen town centre - a location with excellent transport links in an area where few comparable office units exist. Businesses who are first in the door will also have the luxury of specifying the exact amount of floor space they require.

The business centre is the brainchild of ASPIRE a subsidiary of Cambuslang and Rutherglen Housing Association. In 1985, the housing association acquired the empty church and its halls at the corner of Main Street and Farmeloan Road, Rutherglen.

The halls are now home to the association. However, a lack of available car parking scuppered various proposals for the church itself. This changed with the demolition of the Borough Hall which provided the necessary spaces.

Following discussions with South Lanarkshire Council, and considerable research, the association identified quality, bespoke office accommodation as an ideal use of the site. The church was demolished last year, with the exception of the steeple which was retained due to its listed status, and work has now begun on the centre.

The design is certainly eye-catching. Glass frontage will reflect the spire making the most of this unusual feature. Internally, leaded glass from the church will be incorporated as a backlit display. On the third floor, office workers and visitors will be able to peer in on the spire’s bell. The tower will also be put to practical use with meeting rooms on its first and second floors connected to the main building by walkways. Vents in the spire will even act as the centre’s air conditioning system extracting hot air from the building.

The centre is primarily aimed at smaller businesses. It is likely to be split into between 14 and 20 units, each with sufficient office space for around six people. “It’s likely to particularly suit computer-orientated, office-based businesses. The building will be fully-wired with all the infrastructure modern businesses need,” said David Anderson, director of the housing association. “We’re targeting smaller businesses and there will be a staffed reception which can provide business and administration support to them. But it’s also possible that a call centre may come in and look to take an entire floor.”

The £2.5 million project has been assisted by South Lanarkshire Council, the European Regional Development Fund and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire. Its aim is economic regeneration, in this case, by widening the range of office premises available to businesses in South Lanarkshire.

Dave is confident it will make a valuable and successful contribution. “Above all, its in an excellent location with regards to road and rail links,” he explained. “And there's the fact that the M74 extension is going to be on the doorstep. All those factors point to its success.”

For further information on this office accommodation contact Dave Anderson on 0141 647 4917.

Business South Lanarkshire - Winter 2001

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