Pub giant is toast of the town
Wetherspoon settobuy formerbairds sitefor£750k andbring jobsandnew hotspotto towncentre
Pub giant JD Wetherspoon is set to buy the former vacant Bairds building outright.
The firm had previously proposed to lease the empty unit in Hamilton’s town centre and turn it into a hotel, bar and restaurant.
However, the council’s executive committee heard last week that selling the former department store was the only option.
Conservative Councillor Kenny Mccreary (Bothwell and Uddingston) asked council officers: “Has there been any other interest in the Bairds unit?”
But, since the premises were vacated in 2014, JD Wetherspoon are the only business to have shown an interest.
Councillor Mccreary continued: “So it’s either sell or risk leaving it empty?”
The £4million development could create up to 60 jobs – 30 in the construction phase along with 30 permanent positions once complete.
Michael Mcglynn, South Lanarkshire Council’s executive director for community and enterprise resources, said: “JD Wetherspoon are committed to Hamilton and have been successful in gaining consent for a planning application.”
Councillors were also told that, should the recommendation to sell to JD Wetherspoon be rejected, officers could try to renegotiate but would probably be unsuccessful.
Danny Lowe, executive director for housing and technical resources, added: “Securing the future of the Bairds building helps keep the vibrancy of Hamilton town centre.”
However, and as a result of the building lying empty for over four years, Independent Councillor Jackie Burns (Larkhall) warned: “We shouldn’t have any raised expectations that this [development] will happen anytime soon.”
After the executive committee approved the recommendations, JD Wetherspoon are set to buy the building for £750,000, of which £613,125 will be due to leasing company Maration Ltd.
South Lanarkshire Council will only receive £136,875 but will have a
Securing the future of the Bairds building helps keep the vibrancy of Hamilton town centre Danny Lowe
“pre-emption right” to buy back the property should JD Wetherspoon decide to sell during the development phase.
This week, JD Wetherspoon welcomed the council’s decision and spokesman Eddie Gershon, said: “Wetherspoon is pleased with the council’s decision. We do however, still need to apply for a licence, so as yet, there are no on-site or opening dates.”
In June 2016, the Advertiser reported how the council launched ambitious plans to revitalise Hamilton town centre.
It stated that the unpopular parking charges could be changed, while Quarry Street may be opened up to traffic.
A public consultation, organised by Hamilton politicians MP Angela Crawley and MSP Christina Mckelvie, was also launched after a special investigation by the Advertiser revealed there were 45 empty units in the heart of Hamilton.
The consultation received more than 800 responses, with many concerned about the empty large unit, Bairds.