‘Significant growth’ has forced a Rostrevor-based company to pursue a proposal to relocate to Newry – and invest up to £1 million if allowed to proceed.
Clerkin Elevation is described as a long-established and reputable firm which specialises in high-end truck-mounted hoists and one which supplies ‘access solutions’.
The business is now operating throughout the UK and Europe.
Success has seen recent work undertaken for a number of top clients including one of Northern Ireland’s top tourist attractions, ‘Titanic Belfast’.
The success of the company means that it is now forced to look beyond Rostrevor to continue operations.
To that end, it is seeking planning approval from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for a new operational base – described as a “substantial structure” up to 18 metres in height – at Newry.
This would see the business relocate to the Carbane Industrial Estate.
Clerkin Elevation hopes to construct a new industrial unit there, along with ancillary office accommodation.
According to a statement submitted to planners in support of the application, the move must be allowed to go ahead.
It states: “The new industrial unit is necessary to meet and sustain the operational needs of the business and will be used for the storage of specialised high-end machinery.
“The building’s scale and external dimensions have been dictated by the need to work with aerial lifts within the building and also due to the bulk and size of the items to be stored under cover.”
The statement says the business has experienced “significant growth” and the proposed development is a “necessary response to the company’s increase profile”.
It adds: “There is a need for a large scale unit to continue the operational works of the business, especially to store its high-end machinery.
“Clerkin Elevation wish to relocate to Carnbane Industrial Estate in particular due to the availability of land, but also due to the proximity to the Belfast-Dublin motorway.
“This project will entail investment upwards of £1 million.
“It will safeguard a number of jobs and it will allow for orderly growth in the future.”
The application has been submitted to planners and is being publicly advertised this week.
