Scott Harrison School of Boxing Dalmarnock, Spectrum Properties Glasgow News

Scott Harrison School of Boxing, Dalmarnock

7 Apr 2020

Spectrum Properties Helps Scott Harrison School of Boxing

Fighting fit. Famous East End boxing gym now has one of Scotland’s largest property companies in its corner

A well-known East End of Glasgow boxing gym which has not only produced champions but has helped keep local youngsters off the ropes is enjoying a new lease of life following support by one of Scotland’s largest property companies.

The Scott Harrison School of Boxing, run by the former WBO featherweight champion’s father Peter, is in fighting trim, helped by significantly subsidised rents which allow it to keep fees at an affordable level.

Mr Harrison’s boxing and fitness club, which has trained a number of professional fighters, including Commonwealth Gold Charlie Flynn and former British champion Willie Limond, is now housed in a custom-built facility owned by Spectrum Properties.

Spectrum Properties – left to right – Peter Harrison and Bill Roddie:

Spectrum Properties owner and director William Roddie stepped in when the existence of the highly-respected club came under threat as its previous premises became subject to a compulsory purchase order.

Mr Roddie said: “Peter Harrison’s Phoenix Gym and the School of Boxing have become an institution in the East End of Glasgow. Peter is a remarkable man who has given his life to helping local youths to realise their potential.

“He has also had the insight and empathy to help East End lads in times of trouble and has been instrumental in turning many young lives round. Anything we can do to help him will be small reward in comparison to the effort he puts in.”

Mr Harrison, 68, a former youth corrections officer, has been running his gym for years in Dalmarnock and spends five days a week training prospective champions and improving local youths’ fitness and life outlook.

He has faced his own troubles after father-of-four Scott, who also held Commonwealth and British titles, became dogged by controversy out of the ring but is now back on right path.

Mr Roddie, whose family-owned company has some 700 commercial properties around Glasgow, said that Spectrum Properties is supporting the gym with sponsorship and helping with kit costs.

The company has also established a reputation in the East End and in the wider Glasgow area for identifying buildings of significant architectural merit which are in danger of decay, and potentially demolition, and re-inventing them for commercial or residential use.

Although Spectrum has moved into residential development in the last 10 years, its primary focus remains on commercial property. Its commercial portfolio across the city, comprises 70% of its group holdings.

Spectrum Properties directly employs 75 people and the same number of sub-contractors. It is actively recruiting to cope with rapid expansion. Established by Mr Roddie in 1988, the company now has a portfolio valuation of £60 million and a rental turnover in excess of £5 million.

Background

Spectrum Properties, Strathclyde Business Centre, 120 Carstairs Street, Glasgow G40 4JD
Website: www.spectrumproperties.co.uk.

Spectrum Properties is a family-run business providing high-quality business centre space, industrial workshops and units, warehousing and manufacturing facilities and secure open yard storage along with business support services in and around Glasgow.

It has also been at the forefront of the city’s built environment preservation, creating new uses for former municipally-owned properties such as Hillhead High School in the West End, Hydepark School in Springburn, Shakespeare Street School in North Kelvin, Shettleston Baths and also Sir William Burrell’s former home in Great Western Road in Glasgow.

Scott Harrison School of Boxing: Spectrum Properties image / information received 7 April 2020