New Eurocentral office park will provide jobs boost

Sep 23 2009 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A MAJOR new £330m business development is set to create up to 8000 jobs in the area.

The Maxim office park at Eurocentral was officially opened last Thursday by First Minister Alex Salmond and Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy.

The £330m development provides 756,000 sq ft of high-quality office accommodation in 10 buildings which could bring up to 8000 jobs to the area.

There are also retail facilities for workers and the local community.

The buildings are located within landscaped grounds which include a PGA-approved putting green.

The council is working closely with the owners to maximise the economic benefits of the development for North Lanarkshire.

Council leader Councillor Jim McCabe said: “The Maxim Office Park is fantastic news for North Lanarkshire and Scotland, giving a much needed boost to the economy.

“It offers first-class business facilities at the heart of central Scotland’s road infrastructure and a unique environment for the thousands of people who will work here.

“North Lanarkshire has been hit hard by the recession, with unemployment rates rising sharply, so we are pleased that Maxim is working in partnership with us and other public sector agencies to ensure as many local people as possible can take up jobs created by this business park.

“Through our ‘North Lanarkshire’s Working’ service, we are providing training and support to unemployed people to give them the skills and ability to apply for a variety of jobs at Maxim, including vacancies in administration and retail.

“The Maxim Office Park will play an important role in the ongoing regeneration of this area, setting new standards in office accommodation for Scotland, and boosting our efforts to create long-term jobs and achieve sustainable economic development in North Lanarkshire for future generations.”

Karen Campbell, Maxim chief executive, said: “In just less than two years, Maxim has risen from the ground on a scale unprecedented in Scotland and indeed the UK.

“We are justifiably proud of what we have created here in Lanarkshire, offering businesses the opportunity for an unparalleled working lifestyle. “There is now a real confidence in the market that Maxim has got it right.

“Our pipeline of interest offers a promising long-term forecast of economic investment in Lanarkshire and in Scotland and I look forward to making more positive news announcements in the coming months.”

For more information on employment opportunities, contact North Lanarkshire’s Working on 0800 0730 226 or at www.lanarkshiresworking.co.uk.