Clucas Plc will invest in a significant development at its Tromode Estate, just outside of Douglas. Currently called the Gateway Project and on the former site of the old Clucas Laundry, the development will cover 1.87 acres and will be the new corporate headquarters for the Strand Group. Strand Group is facilities management company Strand Facilities Services, secure document management company Storall and contract cleaning brand Krypton. They currently occupy five different premises and the move to the new development will bring the businesses together on one site.
This is a boost for the local construction industry as all aspects of the build, from demolition to construction, and professional services from architects to quantity surveyors are Island based. Both Clucas Plc and Strand Group operate a strong ‘stay local’ policy when it comes to sourcing suppliers.
Demolition of the original site began at the end of January and will be completed in February. The old engine room for the laundry is to be retained for historical interest. Ballasalla based JCK Ltd is carrying out the demolition work.
The project has been described as an important collaboration between Clucas and Strand Group. Early consultation has meant that Strand Group’s new premises are being purpose built and will incorporate several special features that will improve efficiencies in a number of areas of the Group’s business.
Mike Henthorn, Chairman of Clucas Plc said, ‘We can’t think of anyone we’d rather develop the site with. Strand Group’s thinking very much mirrors our own particularly when it comes to environmental issues. For instance, keeping the green areas and adding trees to make an attractive, open and pleasant area was one of the first things we both agreed on.
‘Sustainability and energy efficiency along with general environmental issues have been important considerations throughout the planning stages of the development,’ he added.
The new Strand Group premises will consist of five units of 3,000 sq feet each with mezzanine offices in the first unit and will occupy 1.25 acres of the new development. It will have a timber clad entrance feature and tinted glazing that will wrap around the side of the entrance area. There will be five loading areas, parking for 36 vehicles, secure cycle parking as well as disabled spaces and there’ll be discreet parking at the rear for large goods vehicles. Strand Group is investing an initial ?250,000 in the run up to the move, with further investment planned for 2015 and beyond.
The Gateway Project is a significant part of the ongoing development of Tromode Estate. Recent years have seen the area transformed from a traditional industrial estate into a modern development with new buildings meeting the requirements of service-led businesses including units which can meet the special needs of the IT industry. Most recently Mannage.IT and Manx Business Solutions have moved into Tromode Estate and both started trading there in January. There are two additional units adjacent to the newly occupied premises which are now available and which are being actively promoted.
Founder and Chairman of Strand Group, John Hellowell said, ‘This is the biggest project we’ve undertaken in our 25 year history and it will be a tremendous boost for our businesses, and our people. It will be great to be able to have everyone under one roof.’
The links between the two companies go back 26 years and in 2011 Strand Facilities Services took over Krypton Contract Cleaning from Clucas. Some of the staff who worked at the original site will be returning to Tromode, meaning that around 20 members of the Krypton team will have something of a homecoming when they move into the new building.
‘There have been extensive discussions with Clucas as to how best to tailor the building to our needs,’ said Mr Hellowell. ‘This close working relationship means we’ll be able to install a state of the art document storage system. It will be fully automated giving us enhanced efficiency, security, and greater capacity.’
The whole building’s foundations will be raised by one metre, giving extra integrity, safety and security to the whole premises. Rubble from the demolition of the original building will be reused as part of this procedure.
MHK, David Quirk, welcomed the news. Tromode Estate lies within his Onchan constituency. Mr Quirk said, 'This is a very significant investment and will have a positive impact in a number of ways. It's good for local jobs and underlines the long-term commitment of Clucas Plc and Strand Group to the Onchan area.'
"This project is very much in line with our Vision 2020 for the future and I'm looking forward to seeing the improvements to the site.' he added.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in September of this year and its location at the entrance to the Estate means it is set to become the flagship development of Tromode Estate.
Commercial Director of Black Grace Cowley, Mark Grace, who brokered the deal, commented, 'This is a great boost for the Island's commercial property market. 18,000 sq ft pre-lets are fairly rare, but Strand's commitment to both the Tromode Estate, and to such a major new development shows tremendous confidence in their business, and what Tromode Estate has to offer. The former laundry had most definitely reached the end of its useful life, and Strand's impressive new HQ will be quite a feature at the entrance to the Estate.’
The architects for the project are Douglas based McGarrigle Architects.
Photo - John Hellowell, Founder and Chairman of Strand Group.
