Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has contracted John Brown (Strone) (JBS) to create three new self-contained offices in Dunoon as part of efforts to support local business growth and attract new companies.

JBS will carry out the fit-out work at the Fairmile Building in Sandbank Business Park.

Sandbank is the main commercial focus in Cowal outside Dunoon town centre and HIE has invested in developing the site over several years.

There is fresh interest in the location, with the sale of some plots on the development land opposite the Fairmile Building now progressing.

HIE's agents Graham and Sibbald, have already received enquiries about the new offices.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE's area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said they are looking forward to increasing business activity and local employment opportunities on this well-established out of town location.

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She added: "We have brought forward new offices in The Fairmile Building as part of fresh strategy to support local businesses as they react to changes forced on us all by the pandemic.

"The Fairmile can now offer smaller office accommodation, appropriate to changing needs of some businesses as they adopt new ways of working to meet new challenges.

"As a place to work, this is a bright and airy building with good connectivity. It is situated at the edge of Sandbank Business Park, just out of town, but still handy for local businesses. With changing rooms, a shower and a bike shed, it is also suitable for those wishing to cycle to work or exercise at lunchtime."

Elaine Brown of JBS said: "JBS is delighted to be involved in creating fantastic modern workspaces for our town. It has been a pleasure to work with HIE and their team again and we hope the facility will be popular and bring opportunities for our community."

The Fairmile Building was opened by HIE in 2017 and over the last few years has become a busy workplace for staff at BC Technologies and Tillhill Forestry. It is also a temporary home to Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd as the firm awaits completion of its own new building.

The new workspaces will be known as The Robertson Rooms, in recognition of the proud heritage of the nearby former boat building yard.

The small office units are of varying sizes between 70.5m2 and 102.5m2. Each opens off the large foyer break-out area, themed to showcase the historic vessels built during Alexander Robertson's Yard's heyday.