An investment in excess of £3m is the latest step towards the development of the Port of Larne's Redlands Estate which will not only offer enhanced facilities to port users but will create employment opportunities for the local area.
Local entrepreneurial company, McKenzie (NI) Ltd has purchased approximately 5.1 acres with an option for a further 2 acres, on which it plans to construct a number of facilities including a fuel station to cater for lorries and cars. It will also house a shop, internet café and exclusive recreation and rest area for lorry drivers, a lorry wash and separate attended car wash which will be open 24 hours a day and a tyre and exhaust centre.
Mr Sergio McKenzie and Mr Romano McKenzie, Managing Directors, McKenzie (NI) Ltd explains, "We developed the idea of a convenient one-stop vehicle facility which will cater for all types of traffic and were looking for a location which would give us access to large volumes of passing traffic. With over 200,000 tourist vehicles and 450,000 commercial vehicles using the Port of Larne annually and an existing work-force and customer base, Redlands Estate proved to be the strategic location we were seeking."
Mr Alastair Gardiner, Managing Director, Port of Larne adds: "The volume of traffic using Port of Larne has been increasing steadily in recent years. The through-put of commercial traffic increased by 6% in 2004 while tourist traffic enjoyed a 3% increase. Indeed, in the first quarter of 2005, we have seen an increase of 20% in tourist traffic against the same period last year while commercial traffic on the Larne-Cairnryan route has increased by 10%. In view of these volumes, Redlands Estate is the ideal location for a venture such as that proposed by McKenzie NI Ltd. The port, our customers, staff and the local community will benefit from this project and I would like to wish McKenzie (NI) Ltd every success."
McKenzie (NI) Ltd is also intending to relocate their existing businesses to Redlands Estate and build a modern office block which will not only house their own Head Office but will also be available to other businesses operating at the Port of Larne. In addition, they will construct a Plant Hire Centre and an Import/Export Storage Facilty.
Mr McKenzie continues: "While much of this new development is aimed at the vehicle market, the strategic location of the Redlands Estate has allowed us to further expand our initial plans and relocate our existing businesses to the Port of Larne. Road links to and from the Port of Larne are excellent and we have immediate access to first-class 24/7 shipping services."
Redlands Estate, 70 acres of prime development land, is home to a number of businesses including Wincanton, P&O Ferrymasters, Fry Transport, Barline Transport and KFC and as Mr Gardiner points out is currently attracting interest from other potential investors. "While Redlands Estate is an obvious choice for haulage/freight businesses and distribution/logistic operators, its location is ideal for bulk suppliers, hotel/leisure facilities or tourist attractions. We are currently in discussions with a number of other businesses who are keen to exploit the potential offered by Redlands Estate."
Investors who would like to explore business opportunities at Redlands Estate should contact O’Connor Kennedy Turtle on 029 9024 8181 or Port of Larne on 028 2887 2100.