GLM joint venture deal 'will triple size'

THE architecture firm behind the £7 million redevelopment of John o'Groats is hoping to triple in size over the next five years after entering a joint venture with luxury holiday lets company Natural Retreats.

Edinburgh-based GLM has signed a "strategic partnership" that will see it do all the architectural and project management work for the Manchester-based firm.

The deal will also see GLM supply some of its flat-pack holiday cottages, sold through its Rushy Glen subsidiary, to the holiday company.

Natural Retreats constructs eco-holiday lets in picturesque areas such as the Yorkshire Dales and has plans to expand into Europe and the US.

Ian McKee, managing director of GLM, hopes the deal will help the firm, which has a turnover of 1m, triple its workforce and income over the next three to five years. GLM also has plans to open a second office in Caithness over the next few months and expand south of the border. The firm currently employs 12 people at its Edimburgh headquarters.

"Our key aspiration is to build the practice to 30-40 people across three to four strategic offices," McKee said. "In three to five years we'd certainly expect to triple our turnover."

McKee said the joint venture with Natural Retreats will make a "significant" difference to the company although he is reluctant for the firm to become too specialist, as architectural practices continue to battle against the economic downturn.

GLM expects to generate fees of 500,000 from the John o'Groats project, which received planning permission from the Highland Council last week.

The makeover, which is due to be completed in 2012, will include the extension of the landmark John o'Groats Hotel, which has been closed for a decade.