Retail park will breathe new life into site

A property developer is to bring around 100 new jobs to Barrhead by turning the town’s derelict dog food factory site into a retail park.

The £ 12m, 57,000 sq ft development will also create 40 construction jobs during the year- long build, with measures in place to try and ensure as many as possible of the new jobs go to local people, according to London and Scottish Investments.

The new site, previously operated by Nestle, which has lain derelict for the last ten years, will house retailer B& M, which will occupy a 20,000 square feet store together with a 7,500 square feet garden centre.

The developers said it is also in advance discussions with a major national food retailer and will reveal full details in the near future.

The new site in Glasgow Road Retail Park wi l l have with two drive- thru restaurants, one for food and the other for coffee.

There will also be pub, with a family- friendly restaurant.

Occupiers wi l l b e announced in coming months.

Development director with LS&I Bryan Wilson said: “I believe the new Glasgow Road Retail Park will be a massive boost for this part of Barrhead and the town in general.

“It builds on Barrhead’s success over recent years in securing major private and public regeneration developments in the town centre.

“The retail park development is significant, not just in terms of bringing an old centre of employment back to life, removing a derelict blot on landscape, while providing magnificent new retail and leisure services.

“Most of all it provides a tremendous jobs boost for the town, especially since these new retail and leisure jobs are high quality, secure posts.”

Mr Wilson said that the planning application for the new retail park is due to be heard by East Renfrewshire’s Planning Committee perhaps by November at the latest.

This would allow work to start on the site early next year.