Projects / Action Areas

Office and Workshop Space

Increasing the number of people working in Helensburgh and using the facilities in the town centre would provide a boost for retailers and food and drink outlets and help to build year-round vitality.  The Yellow Book Report indicated that the Helensburgh office market is centred around Colquhoun Square and Colquhoun Street.  Office occupiers comprise predominantly small professional firms such as solicitors, financial advisors and estate agents.  Premises tend to be Class 2 offices, with a ground floor retail frontage, and are in Victorian rather than modern buildings.

A report by Ryden in August 2006 supported comments in the Yellow Book study that there should be an objective to secure 372-743 sq m (4,000 - 8,000 sq ft) of new office accommodation in the town centre over a period of 5 years.  This would include the development of a dedicated business centre in a bespoke or converted building.  Consultations indicate that small businesses in Helensburgh are frustrated in finding suitable premises by the lack of good quality small office space.  There is also provision for out of town offices at Colgrain where a site has been designated for business park use in the Draft Local Plan.  Helensburgh has little in the way of available workshop space of land zoned for that use.