Call centre plan for New Cross Centre gets green light

Jun 25 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANS to covert a Hamilton retail unit into call centre premises were this week given the go-ahead.

New Cross Centre landlord, Elandome Ltd, was granted permission by councillors to change the use of the former first floor retail market area of the building.

It is expected that 200 call centre shift workers could work in the premises.

New windows facing on to Lamb Street and Leechlee Road are to be installed in the building.

South Lanarkshire Council’s executive director (enterprise resources) Iain Urquhart explained this week: “At present no operator has been identified, but it is estimated that 200 staff working on a 3 x 8-hour shirt pattern would be accommodated within such an operation at this location.

“Consistent with this type of operation, it is anticipated that the call centre would operate 24 hours, seven days a week.

“It is proposed that the current car parking within the centre would accommodate the call centre requirements and that the new business would be serviced via the existing facilities within the basement of the New Cross Centre.”

Mr Urquhart pointed out that Local Plan policy sought to protect the core retail function of Hamilton Town Centre, but at the same time recognised that office use was also appropriate for the location.

He added: “The New Cross Centre will continue to operate as primarily a retail centre, retaining sufficient retail uses within it.

“The loss of this particular area of retail floorspace will not adversely impact on the retail function of either the New Cross Centre or Hamilton Town Centre.

“Through (development) policies office uses are considered appropriate within the town centre, with upper floors being identified as preferred locations for such operations.

“I am therefore satisfied that the proposal raises no issues in terms of local plan policies and will assist in the promotion of Hamilton Town Centre as an attractive location for business.”