Glasgow’s St Enoch shopping centre plans major Argyle Street revamp

● Latest development proposals follow plans to add cinema to former BHS site

Part of Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre shopping destination is to be knocked down to make way for new flagship retail outlets.

Mall operator Sovereign Centros has submitted plans to Glasgow City Council to demolish “most” of the buildings at 135 to 153 Argyle Street – currently home to chains including Ann Summers – and replace them with a new “high-quality flagship retail development”.

In its planning statement, commercial property consultant CBRE said that three operators were at an “advanced stage of discussions” about taking up space in the revamped units, designed by architect Benoy, which recently completed a new terminal at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

It added: “The development proposes a sensitive restora- tion of the historic façade of the former St Enoch Picture House and secures its retention for the future in a use appropriate to the location for flagship retail users.”

The Picture House began life as a music hall before becoming a cinema and eventually closing in 1935.

Paul Bailey, asset management director at Sovereign Centros, said: “The recent application to enhance holdings on Argyle Street forms a significant part of our ongoing business plan to provide bestin-class accommodation for our retailers and an enhanced customer experience.”

If the plans are approved, the new outlets are expected to open in 2019.

“The proposal to reconfigure the Argyle Street frontage of the St Enoch Centre is proposed with a view to improve the retail offer to this part of the city, and strengthening the role of the St Enoch Centre as well as Glasgow city centre itself,” CBRE added.

The move comes after St Enoch, which first opened its doors in 1989 and attracts 20 million visitors a year, revealed last month that it is to gain a Vue cinema complex as part of its multi-million-pound redevelopment. The nine-screen cinema is to be located on the upper level of the former BHS store site at the east end of the centre, with additional retailing on the ground floor.

St Enoch, owned by Blackstone Real Estate Partners, said that eight new restaurants were also planned for the site, which is already home to a food court and the likes of Pizza Hut and Nando’s.

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager, said: “The application for three new flagship units is an important step in the ongoing redevelopment plans. The new flagship units will join the addition of a Vue cinema as well as a variety of leisure opportunities.”