Workspace creates more business opportunities at Queens Cross

As part of the £16 million refurbishment of Queens Cross’s Cedar high rise flats in north west Glasgow, four new commercial spaces have been created.

The units are located on the ground floor of the newly transformed homes which last year won an Architect’s Journal Award for the best retrofit project in the UK.

All three blocks have improved low energy lighting, new insulation, modern controllable heating and hot water systems and triple glazed windows. In addition new lifts and refuse areas have been installed along with enclosed balconies and increased security systems.

Work is now underway to improve the public spaces around the flats with new play facilities and landscaping being installed.

One of the first tenants in the new spaces was Claire Neilston who owns Abacus Coffee.

"I was looking for a space to pursue my love of coffee and just really liked the strong sense of community there is at Cedar and the wider Queens Cross area. We’ve really fitted in and have become a familiar feature locally," said Claire.

The units are managed by Queens Cross Workspace, the commercial property arm of the Queens Cross Group.

The Queens Cross Group is made up of four partner organisations who work together to improve lives through high quality housing, community services, employment and business opportunities centred around Queens Cross Housing Association.

Queens Cross Workspace’s Business Development Manager, James Ledger said:

"Commercial businesses are essential to building a successful vibrant community and we wanted to encourage more to move into the area. The refurbishment of the flats was the ideal opportunity for us to use the ground floorspace more imaginatively to create local employment opportunities."

Three of the four units are now filled, anyone interested in taking over the final unit should contact James at james@qcgroup.co.uk.