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Pinetown, specifically Josiah Gumede (Old Main) Road as the traditional route linking Durban and Pietermaritzburg and now honoured annually with the Comrades Marathon ultra-distance road race, has long been dominated by the motor industry.
Motor dealerships, car part specialists and auxiliary services are found along this principal road – and it is, therefore, understandable the roads branching off and forming a connected network around that key transport node support that trade. Situated 16km west of the traditional Durban CBD, Pinetown has its historical roots in the city’s early days.
Named after the governor of Natal, Sir Benjamin Pine, Pinetown was established in 1850 around the Wayside Hotel, and the foundations and structures of the original settlement can be found at the corner of Josiah Gumede and Stapleton roads.
This is a busy commercial street interspersed with blocks of flats, local government schools and social services including churches, hotels, Pinetown Medicross and government buildings like the Department of Home Affairs, library, police station and municipal facilities.
Alongside the motor town element, other commercial enterprises include strip mall shopping centres and hardware or DIY stores serving local Pinetown residents and those in the nearby strongly residential suburbs of Cowies Hill, Westville and Kloof.
Larger shopping centres are found a few blocks away from the main arterial road. Within the neighbourhood of Ivy Road, Morgan Road and Krishna Lane are minifactory unit facilities from which small and medium enterprises can operate including Ivy Park, Lubex House and Sanguine Park.
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vy Park offers entrepreneurs mini-factory sites for rental and sale. The benefit of working in a complex of this size is the opportunity for businesses to feed off one another. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Wakefields chief executive officer, Myles Wakefield, says Pinetown is gaining a reputation in the property market. Commercial and residential developments are booming with the area offering swift access to the M13 and other major routes, making it easy to reach from virtually anywhere across Durban.
Advertising boards outside the properties reflect vacancies available for entrepreneurs seeking new premises. A 441m² commercial space is currently available in Ivy Road for R2.65 million and will suit professional offices for a legal or accountancy practice, medical or dental practice, advertising or estate agency business.
Another property within the neighbourhood is on the market for R3.399m. It includes 1 060m² floor space and offers around 10 fully air-conditioned offices close to transport routes. On the rental market, a 300m² premises within a fully-fenced industrial complex with warehousing can be rented for R51/m².
A range of commercial property is available in the area for businesses seeking. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
The light industrial factories have easy access to Crompton Street and Shepstone Road, Life Crompton Hospital and the national highways M19 and M31. In a nearby industrial complex, there is a 205m² mini-factory available for rental for R63/m². The unit has a roller door and sufficient height to accommodate most light industrial requirements.
The reception area leads to the clear span factory floor. The rent includes the monthly security levy.
Industrial supplies, autobody repairs and decor services
Chick Henderson KZN t/a Zenzele Industrial Supplies
Established more than 50 years ago, the Chick Henderson group focuses on the rubber and PVC hose and allied equipment market. Products adhering to global standards are sourced from reputable manufacturers internationally for the group to offer a wide range of hose and allied products.
Highway Bodyshop
In 2006, Rodgers Soobramoney made a dramatic career move by leaving the security of corporate to venture into business. Acquiring and renaming Highway Panel Beaters, he has created a recognised repair facility for the Highway area, and has factory approvals from the country’s major vehicle manufacturers and dealers.
Decadent Décor Decadent
Décor is a specialist decor company that plans, designs and delivers service excellence to suit its clients’ decor requirements. The company co-ordinates every aspect of the event – from the strategic consultancy to the artistic design and completed decor solution.
Panel-Rite is one of the businesses operating in the quieter streets in Pinetown. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Panel-Rite Autobody Repair Centre
The company is a manufacturer-approved repair facility with approvals for major structural and aluminium repairs and approved by all major insurance companies.
Metraclark Refrigeration and air-conditioning wholesale company
Metraclark is wholly owned by the Swedish-based listed entity Beijer Ref AB, and has exclusion southern African distribution rights to a range of international products.
Advantages offered by the area
Location
The western suburb has easy access to the M13 highway travelling east and west, while the split to the national road N3 east-bound near the eastern end of Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road) ensures businesses have links around the city and nationally for their goods and services.
Concentrated hub for the motor industry
The motor trade dominates the eastern end of Josiah Gumede Road, meaning individual motor retailers can feed off locations. This translates into sound support for the auxiliary motor industry services.
One of the commercial properties on the market. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Public transport
The eThekwini Municipality integrated rapid public transport system has driven the upgrading of Josiah Gumede Road and includes various bus terminals from which commuters will be able to arrive at or leave Pinetown and/or transit elsewhere in the city. Currently, commuters, including employees working in the industries established in the area, have access to taxis that also operate along the suburb’s main commercial streets.
Infrastructure
While commerce dominates Pinetown’s main roads, the suburb has a large residential component both in free-standing properties and blocks of flats or townhouse complexes. This provides opportunities to live within a few kilometres of work. The neighbourhood’s government schools as well as several churches, hotels and the Department of Home Affairs are also close by.
Good local trading opportunities
Given the proximity of the residential population and its established nature, businesses in the neighbourhood have access to good local trading opportunities and commuter traffic. Within 5km are also the residential neighbourhoods of Cowies Hill, Westville and Kloof to provide additional consumers.