An Angus flooring firm is to open new £500,000 premises this weekend, bringing the prospect of new jobs for the area while transforming an eyesore.
Family-run firm Whittons will move from its existing outlet in Dens Road, Arbroath, to a purpose-built showroom on Grant Road in the town.
The business has 37 staff at its stores in Arbroath, Forfar and Dundee and is looking to expand further, with the opening of the new site.
Company director Billy Whitton, son of founder Bill Whitton, said the investment in the former Fairport filling station will allow for further expansion.
“We had been in Dens Road for 20 years so it was time for us to move into a better area where everybody can see us. We have basically turned an eyesore into something eye-catching and it has tidied up the look of the area.
“We have 13 staff working in Arbroath just now and we will certainly be looking to increase that as business takes off.”
The 1300 square metre site, which was known as Gordon’s Garage before it became the Fairport, was vacant for 10 years prior to work last year.
The location bounded by residential properties in Smithy Croft and Guthriehill had become increasingly derelict after service station buildings were demolished and fuel pumps removed in 2004.
It had been expected that the development would be completed within four to six months, but it has now been almost a year since work began.
Councillor David Fairweather welcomed the investment in the town and predicted it would “buoy” the local economy, adding, “This investment in Arbroath is absolutely tremendous.
“They have grown from a small carpet business into a big multi-business and I congratulate them on their new premises and wish them all the very best for the future.
“It is terrific that people, even in these tough economic times, look at the economy not with doom and gloom but with the feeling the can actually expand.”