A multi-million pound investment on the outskirts of Perth could be the catalyst for creating hundreds of jobs.
Entrepreneur Simon Howie has revealed he is investing £15 million in a major expansion of Inveralmond Trade Park.
He has acquired 17 acres for the third phase of the park which has been made possible by plans to create the new A9/A85 junction and link road.
Mr Howie said phase was “significantly bigger” than the previous two which cover a combined four and a half acres.
Asset manager Euan Campbell explained the background saying: “Simon Howie’s property arm, Rossco Properties, has been active in Perth for many years.
“In 2006-09 we built phases one and two at Inveralmond with over 150,000 sq ft which was let to major occupiers such as Screwfix and Everest, but also to strong regional operators like Harbro.
“We have just added Topps Tiles and Stevenswood to this line-up. We are keen to invest locally and as such we feel that this new site will bring much-needed commercial space for start-ups and growing businesses within Perth and Kinross.
“With the new junction being built onto the Perth bypass, from McDiarmid Park to Luncarty, access to Inveralmond will be fantastic. We expect significant occupier interest for phase three.”
Mr Howie, 49, who owns a range of local and UK businesses including Shore Laminates, Calport Ltd and Simon Howie Butchers Ltd, Pacitti Jones and Thrislington Ltd, is enthusiastic about what the project could do for the city.
“In Perth there is a real dearth of good industrial space,” said Mr Howie.
“If someone had wanted to come to Perth and find five acres and employ 200 people it wasn’t available. Now they do have that opportunity.”
Mr Howie said he was in discussions with the local authority and the planners about the park and was putting out “feelers” to see who might be interested.
The infrastructure will be put in with some speculative building on the perimeter, leaving land for bespoke projects.
He said that the new link road will make the site a much more attractive proposition to a wide range of businesses.
The news was welcomed by Councillor John Kellas, convener of the enterprise and infrastructure committee.
“It is good to see such positive developments taking place,” said Mr Kellas. “Perth and the whole of Perth and Kinross has embarked on hugely positive journey with investment and confidence bucking a national trend that will lead to growing prosperity and job opportunity for our area.
“I am particularly heartened to see this local company supporting an increase in local activity.”
