T&N cross first Judane hurdle

LERWICK building firm T&N Joinery have moved one step closer to establishing workshop and retail outlet in the former Judane knitwear factory, at Gremista.

The company today (Wednesday) received permission to change the use of the larger part of the building (2,440 square metres) from ‘retail’ to ‘general industrial’.

T&N Joinery will now have to submit a second planning permission with detailed plans illustrating the proposed internal layout and external appearance of the building.

The company has been in discussions to acquire the building from Judane (Shetland) Ltd since last year when the former knitwear company advertised the large building for sale or rent.

T&N Joinery director Terry Hunter said after a meeting of the Shetland Islands Council planning board that he was happy the first hurdle had been crossed.

He declined to give any further details at this stage, but added that the company would continue negotiations with Judane.

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The former knitwear factory has featured in the news for the last five years, when it was occupied by businessman Chris Hodge who set up a discount warehouse there.

After Mr Hodge’s company collapsed and vacated the building, Judane (Shetland) Ltd managed to negotiate their way out of a £600,000 debt to the council’s investment firm Shetland Development Trust at a cost of around £400,000 to community funds, the company paying just £190,000.

There was very little discussion of the application at the planning board, with Lerwick South council Cecil Smith moving to approve the application.

T&N undertake general building works, but also specialise in manufacturing windows, conservatories, staircases and selling kitchens.

Having grown rapidly since its establishment in 2000, the company today employs 44 people.

The smaller part of the building (960 square metres) at the west end of the building is used by Shetland Recreational Trust.