News Article

Barclaycard Closure Adds to Lanarkshire Property Exodus

08/05/2008

EGI Web News

Barclaycard has announced that it will close a major call centre in Cumbernauld, outside Glasgow, adding to a recent exodus of firms from the Lanarkshire area. The company announced yesterday that it would close its Goldfish credit card call centre at Hunt Hill, with the loss of 900 jobs. According to Scottish Enterprise, the building was originally developed by former occupant Morgan Stanley and is now owned by Barclaycard.

The custom-built facility, developed in 1999, adds an estimated 75,000 sq ft to Lanarkshire's office availability. Scottish Government enterprise minister Jim Mather said:

"The Scottish Government and Scottish Development International will actively market the facility to look for alternative owners to take it over as a going concern."

One local agent said the building would not impact significantly on the office market in Lanarkshire.

"It's not in a recognised location and the impact on the out of town market is probably not that great," he said. 

The Goldfish closure follows the decision last month of construction firm Carillion to close its headquarters office facility at Tannochside, Lanarkshire, following the firm's takeover of rival Alfred McAlpine. The facility comprises two eight-year-old buildings, one of 31,000 sq ft and one of 18,800 sq ft, which are currently up for sale. A Glasgow agent, who declined to be named, said the timing of the availability of the Carillion buildings is "unfortunate" because of rising availability in the area. Some 756,000 sq ft of office space is due to be delivered at Maxim, Eurocentral, starting later this year, while space at Hamilton International Park and Strathclyde Business Park, Belshill, is already available. JVC and haulage firm Ramage have also recently closed facilities in the area.