The JR Group MD helps to rejuvenate street he used to play football on

This year also marks 30 years since John established his business in Govan in 1995.

Originally founded as a scaffolding business, The JR Group expanded into construction in 2016 and is now helping local authorities and housing associations to build new affordable housing across Scotland, including the homes in Govan for Elderpark Housing Association.

John Horne said: “I have very happy memories of growing up in Govan and Nimmo Drive in particular. I used to kick my football against the wall of the former Elderpark community centre building which has been demolished to make way for the flats and the primary school I attended is on the same street.

“I used to dream of becoming a professional football player while practising my ‘left foot, right foots’ against the wall and that dream came true when I played for Clydebank, Hamilton Academical and Leicester before leaving football to become a scaffolder and then establishing my business.

“In the early years of the business, I used to rent space at The Elderpark Workspace on the very same street. I couldn’t have imagined then that The JR Group would now be building homes and reinvigorating this very site at Nimmo Drive.

“It is a very proud moment for me to be involved in this regeneration project in Govan particularly as we celebrate 30 years of the business this year. It feels very poignant to be bringing our first project in Govan to life now and has definitely made me take stock of where we started and how much the business has grown.”

The Nimmo Drive project will breathe new life into the derelict site in Govan, bringing a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments split across two blocks to the area.

Works will also include lift access at both blocks, sustainable heating throughout the homes, ample amenity space and internal and external bike storage for residents to make use of.

John Horne continued: “Govan has always been amongst the most community-minded in the city so what we are trying to achieve here, is keeping that sense of community in the heart of the regeneration. It feels like we have come full circle in the last 30 years – being able to deliver a new wave of generations living and thriving in Govan – back where it all began, not only for me as a child, but for the business.”

Supporting the communities The JR Group builds in is an important value which runs through the heart of the business. It has also supported neighbouring Connie’s Community Centre by installing new electric roller shutters on the centre, which is looked after by caretaker George Gallacher.

The centre serves as the hub of the community and hosts a number of regular events for locals, including pipe band practice, AA meetings, bingo, pensioner lunches and the Braveheart Cardiac Rehab programme.

George, who has worked for the community centre for five years after owning a snack van in the area for 20 years, remembers John growing up in the area. He said: “It’s wonderful to see the investment in the area from The JR Group bringing it back to life and it will be fantastic to see Nimmo Drive welcome new families once the apartments are ready.

“The fact that the regeneration is coming from one of our own who grew up here makes it extra special. I remember John as a child and I am delighted to see the business he has worked hard to build be so successful and playing a vital role in reinvigorating the area.

“His company very generously arranged new roller shutters for us which has helped to ensure our premises remain safe and secure.”

The company also donated money to support the summer camp at Benburb Football Club to help cover the cost of inflatables and other activities for young people attending the camp during the school summer holidays.

The flats are expected to be completed next year.