Scottish billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale have unveiled plans for their latest £2m drive-thru coffee location – and are planning more to follow across the UK.
Their new project, located in Port Glasgow, will replace a former Department of Work and Pensions building at the corner of Scarlow Street and Greenock Road.
It should create between 40 and 50 full and part-time jobs.
They claims that several international chains have already expressed interest in the site and if planning permission is granted by Inverclyde Council, it will be the second drive-thru established by the Easdales in Inverclyde, after a £1.5m coffee shop on land beside the A8 into Greenock town centre was given the green light.
The brothers said they have plans in place for around 25 sites across the UK, as part of the growth strategy for their transport, construction and manufacturing conglomerate.
Sandy Easdale said: “There has been research that demand from drive-through outlet locations has grown by 25% since the pandemic, alongside the boom in fast-food delivery companies.
“Whereas around five years ago, drive-throughs were occupied by only a handful of big-name outlets, more and more food and drink companies are wanting to gain a foothold in this market.
“We’ve got locations across the UK in the pipeline to satisfy this demand and we’re pleased to have started local in Inverclyde, where a mix of full and part-time jobs will be created and it will provide a boost to nearby traders in the area.”
James Easdale added: “Despite our Port Glasgow site being early in the planning process, we’ve already had strong interest from several national retailers.
“Location is key when identifying suitable sites as both planners and retailers will have strict criteria for what they are looking for.
“The sites we have underway across the UK will take some time to all come to fruition but we’re already on the lookout for further opportunities in the right locations.”
The brothers, through their conglomerate Arranglen and its subsidiary companies, have a range of business interests, spanning transport, manufacturing, commercial property and land investment.
The Easdale family owns McGill's Group, the largest independent UK bus operator. Previously serving Glasgow, Inverclyde and the west of Scotland, it expanded east in 2020 with the acquisition of Xplore Dundee from National Express.
The brothers are also spearheading more than £800m of major property developments, including a 130-acre site at the former Tullis Russell papermill in Glenrothes and the rejuvenation of the 70-acre former IBM site in Greenock.
They are also driving forward redevelopment of the former Watt Brothers store at the heart of Glasgow.
Earlier this year, Sandy and James Easdale were named on The Sunday Times Rich List for the first time, at 129 in the UK wealth list and eighth in Scotland.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
