MCGILL'S owners Sandy and James Easdale have snapped up a Greenock business estate for a cool £3 million.

The brothers, who have a vast business and property empire, have bought Cappielow Trade Park, just off the A8 East Hamilton Street.

The 57,342 square-feet site next to Morton's home ground features 15 industrial units with big-names tenants including Jewson, Electric Center, Brandon Hire, City Plumbing and FTSE 250 company Howdens Joinery.

Announcing the £3.1m purchase yesterday, James Easdale said: "We are embarking on a determined investment drive across a range of commercial and residential property opportunities not only in and around Inverclyde and greater Glasgow but also in locations around Scotland and the United Kingdom.

"Given our existing investments in offices and industrial premises in and around Greenock, this was a deal which made sense for the company and presented a good level of yield with a robust list of tenants occupying the facility.

"The acquisition went smoothly, and we are pleased to conclude the purchase, aided by the professionalism of both Legal & General and JLL."

The Easdale family own several prominent Inverclyde properties, including Victory Court on Arthur Street, which is currently home to the procurator fiscal office, and recently bought Gourock bar Monteith's following the acquisition of the nearby Old Wherry Tavern in July last year - and there are more deals on the horizon.

James said: "We're currently making good progress with finalising a number of other commercial property purchases and, as we have found recently, each successful transaction often leads to a host of new opportunities for us to consider and progress.

"Whilst our companies are most readily associated with interests in transport and manufacturing sectors, the last 12 to 18 months has witnessed considerable investment in property across the UK and we expect further good news in the coming months."