A major expansion at the Braehead shopping centre will create thousands of new jobs, with new leisure, community and retail facilities planned.
Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) the owner of Braehead, has
lodged a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) with Renfrewshire
Council, which indicates its intention to submit a planning
application for permission in principle to build new leisure,
community and retail facilities at the shopping centre.
The proposals include a significant boost to public
transport with the creation of a new integrated transport
interchange for buses and to facilitate the new Fastlink service,
which is hoped will extend from the south side of Glasgow to
Braehead and Renfrew.
It is expected that the planning application, including
proposals for a department store, will be lodged later this
year.
There are also plans to build a new arena for ice and dry
sports events, concerts, other entertainment shows, exhibitions and
conferences; an hotel, cafes, restaurants and a new civic
square.
General Manager of Braehead Shopping Centre, Peter Beagley
said: "Braehead Shopping Centre has been a key part of the local
community and the wider Renfrewshire area for the past 13 years and
we are keen to continue our investment for the benefit of the area
and indeed Scotland.
"Our investment will create much-needed jobs for local
people and deliver a wider choice of retail and leisure for our
customers, as well as significant improvements to public transport
and public space.
"These proposals will see a huge amount of private
investment coming into Renfrewshire and the west of Scotland. With
this multi-million pound investment comes the welcome bonus of
employment with up to 2,000 construction jobs - including
apprenticeships for young people - and more than 3,000 direct
and indirect jobs in leisure and retail when the extension is
completed.
"We are very keen to make sure as many local people as
possible benefit from these jobs and with approval for the project,
we will set up a Jobs Shop on site for people to apply for the work
that will become available."
CSC will be consulting with shoppers, the local community,
retailers and other stakeholders to get their input into this
exciting opportunity.