Lossiemouth-based furniture firm Grampian Furnishers is hoping that a two-year search for new premises will take a major step towards becoming a reality this week, as it prepares to present its plans for a purpose-built store in Elgin.
Although a build cost has yet to be agreed, it is believed that the family-owned business' investment in the new store will be in the region of £3-4m.
The company plans to build on a site that is currently zoned for industrial use, but due to the lack of available land for a building of this size the firm has been encouraged to put its case to the council officials at a pre-planning application meeting on Friday.
Together with Inverness architect Colin Armstrong Associates, Grampian Furnishers owner Royce Clark will present to representatives of the council, and, if given the green light, a full planning application will be submitted immediately.
Royce says: “This has been a long time coming. We have outgrown our current building and have spent many months looking at options of utilising existing buildings in and around Elgin, but it became clear that what we wanted to do meant a purpose-built store was the only answer.”
The eye-catching store design would be situated at the gateway to Elgin in a prominent location. It is hoped that the 25,000 sqft building, which will include offices, warehousing and a cafe, will attract customers from all over the north into Moray.
Current jobs will be secured long term, with the potential to double the workforce to around 30.
