EXCLUSIVE

MAJOR sports retailer Decathlon has unveiled ambitious plans for a second megastore near Glasgow.

The firm wants to build a mutli-million pound, 3500sq m development by Braehead Shopping Centre, creating 60 jobs.

It also plans to create a sports demonstration area which will be free to use for local residents and sports clubs, without any requirement to be customers of the business

If it gets the go-ahead, the new store would double the company’s presence around the city, as it already has a successful outlet at the Fort shopping centre in Easterhouse.

Now it has been revealed the company has bought a brownfield site, to the south west of Braehead, bordered by Glasgow Road and Old Govan Road, Renfrew, which has been vacant for 25 years,

If the plan gets the go-ahead the company intends to build outdoor sports pitches next to its new store to provide an area to demonstrate equipment.

They say the area will be free to use for residents and local sports clubs, without any requirement to buy anything from the store.

A report prepared by council planners says the pitches would operate between 9am and 9pm Monday to Saturday, and between 10am and 5pm on Sundays.

Planners say the pitches would need a 2.5metre acoustic barrier to surround the area to prevent people who use the pitches from creating a noise nuisance for local residents and businesses.

Mark Boston, North East and Scotland Expansion Manager for t h e c o m p a n y, s a i d : “Decathlon is a global c o m p a n y, w i t h 5 5 0 stores worldwide, yet we’re relatively small in the UK, with just 12 stores.

“Our aim is to be able to offer Glasgow two stores, one in the East End and one in the west, both very different catchment areas.

“The location of the site, which is owned by

We will create a destination that promotes sport and an active lifestyle

Decathlon, is ideally situated between the M8 and en route to Braehead Shopping Centre.

“Should we be granted planning permission, we will create a destination store which aims to bring the local community in and promote sport and an active lifestyle.

“Our stores our designed to ensure there is lots of space, and wide aisles, so that equipment can be tested and local sports clubs can be invited to host events in the store.

“We w i l l look to implement construction as soon as possible, with a view to opening the store during the summer next year.

AAlongside the construction jobs, there will be approximately 60 store jobs created for people who love sport.”

Mr Boston declined to comment when asked how much money the company was investing in the development.

And there will be hurdles to overcome before councillors gives it the green light.

Renfrewshire’s full council will need to approve the development as there is a possibility the plan could fall foul of planning guidelines.

And an existing business next to the site, kitchen and bathroom retailer Porcelanosa, have raised an objection over potential traffic and parking problems.