NEWS

New Dawn Rising in the East
26 July 2011

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil MSP, was on site recently to view progress at Eastgate as construction continues apace. Dawn Group’s 6,000sq m Grade A office development in the east end of Glasgow is providing much needed employment and training opportunities to the local community and Mr Neil met some of those who are benefiting during his visit.

Dawn Construction, the construction division of the Dawn Group who are building the new office development, and fit-out contractor City Building have committed to providing opportunities for local residents in the form of full-time posts, modern apprenticeships, training placements and work experience. Eastgate is one of three projects underway in the Bridgeton area of Glasgow which will collectively provide employment for 95 construction workers at peak activity.

At the site Mr Neil met eight of the local residents employed on the project. In addition, the development will also provide a boost to the local economy during the construction process and on hand was Gus Macdonald of east end firm Parkhead Welding, one of several local companies employed on the project, to explain how the area and local businesses were benefiting from their in the project.

Mr Neil was joined on the visit by Alan Macdonald, chairman of Dawn Group and Ian Manson, chief executive of Clyde Gateway. The £10 million office building is transforming a derelict site at Glasgow’s Bridgeton Cross, a vital part of the first phase of the Clyde Gateway regeneration project.

Funded by Aviva Investors, the largest manager of real estate in the UK, Eastgate will house 500 staff from Glasgow Community Safety Services following the agreement of a 20 year lease with Glasgow City Council. The Grade A office space is being built by Dawn Construction and will be fitted out by Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company City Building and is due for completion in Spring 2012.

Speaking on his visit to Bridgeton, Alex Neil MSP commented: “I am delighted to revisit the Bridgeton projects and see the progress being made as part of the regeneration of the east end of Glasgow.

“It is encouraging to see derelict properties take on a new life as they are redeveloped to meet the modern needs of our local communities. These in turn will serve to provide much needed jobs in the area and offer a variety of facilities for local people to enjoy for years to come.”

Alan Macdonald, chairman of Dawn Group, said: “Construction is progressing well at Eastgate and once complete it will really transform this area of Bridgeton, both in physical and economic terms, and act as a catalyst for further regeneration.

“Along with the £200m Collegelands development, this is our second major project currently on the ground in the east end of Glasgow and we want to ensure that it leaves a lasting positive impact. As one of Scotland’s leading constructions companies, we are committed to creating employment and training opportunities for local residents during the construction period to equip them with valuable experience and transferable skills which will stand them in good stead long after the development is complete.”