Glasgow Times

WORK SET TO BEGIN ON BUILDING OF NEW STORE

- BY MAXINE MCARTHUR

WORK is to begin on the highly anticipate­d The Range developmen­t in Drumchapel. Constructi­on is set to get under way early next year at the Great Western Retail Park off Great Western Road.

The new shop will be the popular home and garden store’s second location in Glasgow – joining the London Road shop.

It is understood the store is set to open in 2021.

Councillor Paul Carey, who has been working with the retailer since it confirmed it would take over the 4645 square metre space in 2019, has welcomed the news.

He said: “I have been working hard on this for a few years now and it has the support of both community councils – old Drumchapel and Drumchapel.

“It also has cross- party support within the ward and my understand­ing is that there are a few issues to be resolved and then The Range is hoping to commence with onsite constructi­on work early in the new year.

“This will bring a number much- needed jobs to the area.”

The site will include a garden area and a cafe.

It is not yet known how many jobs will be created.

Planning documents submitted in 2019 said the project will bring “long- overdue investment” for the Drumchapel area.

The shop will be built on the ground of the former Goodyear tyre factory, which closed more than two decades ago.

In documents submitted on behalf of Kier Property Developmen­ts in 2018, it was said: “The proposed developmen­t will deliver long- overdue investment for the of

Drumchapel area. This is the one remaining area of land which remains undevelope­d following the closure, over two decades ago, of the former Goodyear tyre factory.”

Councillor Elspeth Kerr added: “I am really happy to see the building for The Range starting.

“The Range is a fantastic shop with lots of different things all under the same roof and will prevent the need for local people to have to travel outwith Drumchapel and Old Drumchapel.

“While, at the same time, bringing in customers from elsewhere too, so more money will be spent into the local economy.

“There will also be more local jobs created which also helps the people from the local area.”

A spokeswoma­n for The Range confirmed the brand “intends” to open the store at some point in 2021, but no further details were made available.

The announceme­nt comes after the retail park faced a blow with the closure of its Pizza Hut restaurant.

The fast- food chain was forced to shut 29 eateries, putting 450 jobs at risk, following the nationwide lockdown.

The Range will join fellow retailers McDonald’s, B& Q, Pets at Home and Starbucks at the park.

This will bring muchneeded jobs to the area

 ??  ?? The Range is to open in Drumchapel next year
The Range is to open in Drumchapel next year

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