New Business Units To Be Developed In Wick- £2.7million Contract To Local Firm John Gunn & Sons
28th April 2023
Work is underway to create to create four new business units at Wick Business Park, following interest from local firms.
Caithness company, John Gunn & Sons was appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, following a public tendering process.
Designed by Threesixty Architecture to meet modern building standards that reflect well on the environment, the units totalling 248m2 would suit a variety of uses from the industrial or commercial sectors.
South-facing photovoltaic panels will be installed, which will convert thermal energy into electricity. EV charging points are included as part of the design as are air-source heat pumps, which will contribute towards net zero.
The project forms part of wider development by HIE to create flexible workspaces in rural locations around the Highlands and Islands.
Eann Sinclair, HIE's area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, said "We're delighted to award this £2.7m contract to a local business, and it's great to see the work by John Gunn & Sons progressing well on the site. There is considerable interest in new flexible commercial premises in Wick, either by local firms thinking about growth or companies from elsewhere looking to set up in the north.
"The new units we’re developing are designed with flexibility to meet the needs of different types of commercial activity and office space. The development is also designed to meet modern standards of insulation and energy performance, embracing our wider net zero aspirations. We hope to have the work completed around. I look forward to further progress over the coming months."
Ian Gunn, managing director of John Gunn & Sons, said: "We are delighted to be working with HIE on this exciting project as the main contractor. We will be working with local subcontractors and suppliers to undertake the works. Works are progressing well, with the majority of the groundworks now complete and building erection due to start mid-May.
"We installed all the infrastructure within the existing industrial estate several years ago and it’s great to see further development to the site."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April. With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
The five-year agreement between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth. The signing of the agreement, by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and HIE Chief Executive Stuart Black, follows the official opening of SRUC's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), a valued addition to SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Inverness by HRH the Princess Royal.
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development. Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands. This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector. A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024. Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years. The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth. This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders. The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE. The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.