The JR Group, one of Scotland’s leading scaffold and building firms, has announced a £6 million investment to create a new headquarters and warehouse complex on Helen Street, Govan, marking an emotional return to its roots 30 years after the business was first founded in the same area.
Planning permission was submitted to Glasgow City Council today (10th November), for the redevelopment of the former Iron Mountain facility at 260 Helen Street to see the 52,500 sq. ft site be transformed into a modern office and warehouse complex for the Group’s scaffolding and construction divisions.
The ambitious HQ move is also estimated to create 60 new jobs and increase turnover to £80 million within the next three years.
The business has operated out of its Paisley base for 16 years now and has served it well in accommodating the firm as it continued to grow. The move represents both a return home and a strategic step forward for the business as it continues to thrive across Scotland and the North of England.
John Horne, Managing Director and Founder of The JR Group, said: “Returning to Helen Street feels like coming home. This is where Annemarie and I started the business three decades ago, and we’ve never lost touch with our roots here in Govan. Investing in the area where it all began feels like the perfect way to mark our 30th anniversary and set the stage for the next chapter of our growth.
“Govan gave us our start, and now we’re proud to be bringing opportunities, investment, and employment back to the community that supported us from day one.
“The move to Helen Street not only brings us full circle, but it also creates a modern, efficient base for our growing operations. It’s a real statement of intent, investing in our people, our future, and in the area itself.”
The site sits within a designated Economic Development Area, offering excellent transport links via the M8 motorway and close proximity to a host of key amenities.
Following refurbishment, the headquarters would feature contemporary offices, upgraded warehouse facilities, and enhanced access, parking, and staff spaces designed with wellbeing and sustainability in mind.
The building has also been designed with inclusivity at its core. The refurbished offices will feature accessible workspaces, social areas, and breakout zones to encourage collaboration, alongside a dedicated gymnasium for employees. The development will also establish a striking new architectural presence on Helen Street, with a contemporary glazed façade and refreshed reception area that reflects the progressive values of The JR Group while enhancing the local streetscape.
Founded in 1995 by John and Annemarie Horne, JR Scaffold Services Ltd has evolved into The JR Group, encompassing JR Construction (Scotland) Ltd, JR Specialist Services, DC Timber Systems, Sprinkler Scotland, and the original JR Scaffold Services. The Group now records a turnover of £40 million, employs 65 staff, and supports a supply chain of more than 500, along with over 70 apprentices across Scotland.
The move reinforces The JR Group’s long-standing commitment to community impact and sustainable growth. Over the past five years, the company has delivered more than 1,200 new-build social housing units, provided more than 70 apprenticeships and 35 work placements, supported 4,600 hours of training and 156 hours of volunteering, and raised more than £400,000 for local charities. Around 84 per cent of its subcontract work is procured through local SMEs, helping to sustain jobs and investment in the communities it serves.
John Horne concluded: “This move is more than a relocation; it’s a reinvestment in the community that shaped us. Govan is part of our DNA, and this development allows us to keep building better, together.”
The planning application was submitted to Glasgow City Council today and work would commence on the project once all approvals are in place.
