A total of 15 jobs are expected to be created in Annan Business Park with the arrival of two national trade suppliers.
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) has concluded the deal with Seamount Property for the site in the Business Park on Stapleton Road, which will be developed into a new building to allow Screwfix to open a new store and Howdens Joinery a local depot.
R H Irving Construction have been employed by Seamount Property to carry out the building work, which got underway in May, with both Screwfix and Howdens expected to open in late 2023.
Andrew Hutchinson, Director of Seamount Property, said:
“Seamount Property is delighted to break ground on our latest trade counter development.
“Once complete the new units will offer modern energy efficient space and securing operators of the calibre of Howdens and Screwfix to Annan is great news for the local economy.”
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, added:
“SOSE’s new five year plan includes a commitment to support improvements to the South of Scotland’s infrastructure to help attract investment into the region.
“An example of this commitment is our deal at Annan Business Park, which will provide work for locally based R H Irving Construction and will create new jobs through the arrival of two new national trade suppliers in the town.”
A Howdens Joinery spokesperson said:
“We have been looking for the right location in Annan for a few years now and we are very pleased to be planning our opening at Stapleton Road as part of our national expansion programme.”
Mark Moodycliffe, Managing Director of R H Irving Construction Ltd said:
“As a long established locally based company employing local people and local supply chain partners, we are delighted to have secured the contract to construct the new trade counter development in Annan.
“We look forward to working with Seamount Property on the project.“
Councillor Ian Carruthers, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Committee said:
“This is great news and a very welcome boost for the area. Hopefully when other businesses see these national companies coming to the Annan area it will have a knock-on effect to attract others.”
Vice Chair of E&R Committee, Councillor David Inglis added:
“Unfortunately, Annan has experienced some job losses recently, so this is very good to hear and I welcome these very reputable companies to Annan and wish them well.”
