Inside the deal which saw billionaire Scottish Easdale brothers acquire huge Port Glasgow factory
Billionaire brothers have extended their £800 million property empire with the acquisition of a former packaging site on the west coast in a move which could help make the site Scotand’s ‘best port’.
Property developers Sandy and James Easdale have announced their purchase of the former Berry bpi site at Inverclyde on the Port Glasgow Road.
The 5.42 acre site is part of a broader regeneration push in the port and follows huge investment by neighbouring Peel Ports which has just unveiled two new £25 million ship-to-shore cranes.
The former Berry bpi site is a large industrial complex dating back to the late 1960s. In total, the complex stretches to 117,816 sq ft and includes a two-storey office block as well as yard, car park and inter-connecting industrial units.
James Easdale said, “Our family have always been very close business-wise to the waterfront and we have been watching intently as it is clear that major players such as Inverclyde Council and Peel are determined to take the port back to its glory days.”
Brother Sandy added, “Technically speaking the Berry site wasn’t actually on the market but we made an approach and it’s all come together.
”We are in no doubt that as the waterfront activity multiplies there is going to be a huge demand for support jobs and services and we will be ideally placed to provide accommodation and working space for companies big and small who want to be part of the action.”
The Easdale’s are already building 850 homes at the former Tullis Russell papermill in Glenrothes, and have planning consent for another 250 homes at the former IBM site in Greenock.
Last week the Port of Greenock officially unveiled its new £25m cranes as part of an investment boost which will improve efficiency at the site.
That is understood to be the biggest-ever investment in Greenock’s container facilities.
Speaking last week, Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe said: “Between the Port of Greenock and the new Ocean Terminal visitor centre, that’s the best part of £50 million of public and private investment in the overall site, which is a key location for Inverclyde, to help boost the local and national economies and encourage further inward investment, support jobs, and boost tourism.
“The new visitor centre has allowed for both the expansion of the cruise ship and also container side of the port and cements Inverclyde’s place as a key shipping hub.”
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