The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Growing demand for high-spec industrial units at business park
Farmer co-operative ANM Group has reported a surge in demand for space at its Thainstone Business Park near Inverurie.
New tenants there include local, national and international businesses.
One of these, Matrix Inspection Services, has just taken on a new five-year lease for a unit.
The facility is expected to help consolidate the company’s operational footprint and underpin future growth.
Founded in 2018, Matrix is reaping the rewards of growing demand for its wideranging expertise, in particular its unmanned aerial vehicle services. This part of the business has completed more than 500 hours of flying and in excess of 200 inspections.
The company’s new base is part of a scheme of “immediately available”, modern, highspecification industrial units which are said to have “broad appeal” to potential occupants including energy industry, storage and distribution businesses.
They are also deemed to be ideal for trade counter operations.
Letting agents CBRE and Ryden say there is “strong” interest in the 1,500-2,500sq ft units.
The two firms are also marketing “wider design and build and purchase opportunities” at the 65-acre business park.
Meanwhile, brisk demand for office space at Thainstone has seen ANM Group’s Axis Centre reach full capacity.
It follows the recent letting of four units of office space, through CBRE, to oil and gas, engineering and logistics service companies.
ANM Group executive Avril McLeod said the decision by new tenants to relocate to Thainstone “reflects our attractive proposition of prime location and ability to provide modern premises for businesses”.
She added: “This further underlines our strong position as a regional centre for business as we continue to attract interest from across the region and beyond.”
CBRE associate director Amy Tyler said: “The local market demonstrates there is good demand for newbuild and high-quality business units.
“The appeal of these units is enhanced due to their suitability for a variety of uses and the fact that ingoing occupiers may be eligible for 100% rates relief for the first 12 months.”
The rates-free period is a “huge advantage” for new tenants, Ms Tyler added.