Soft play plan for former warehouse
Galbraith’s Stores building could be transformed
Galbraith’s Stores former warehouse is a step closer to becoming a soft play facility under new plans.
Daly Planning and Design has drawn up blueprints for the project to bring the building back into use.
Owners want to create a cafe, with bouncy castles, ball pits and car parking at the block in Paisley’s Back Sneddon Street.
Fraser Carlin, head of planning and housing for Renfrewshire Council, considered the proposals and recommended councillors vote to approve them.
In a report, he says: “It is considered that the proposal will not have any significant impact on the amenity of the neighbouring businesses, given it will be sited within a building which is commercial or industrial in nature.
“It is sited in an area occupied by industrial and commercial uses, with no residential properties in the vicinity.
“There will be some minor external alterations to the building, with some existing windows being bricked up and rood lights being in-filled.
“The building is currently vacant and unmaintained, so these alterations and the proposed new use will benefit the visual amenity of the area by bringing the building back into use and a maintained condition.”
The warehouse once served more than 220 shops in the country’s then biggest grocery chain.
Architects filed plans for a dedicated toddlers area, as well as a diner and changing facilities.
Total capacity is expected to be around 300.
Ryden says the brick- built block boasts a canteen, offices and locker rooms.
Windows have been boarded up, but will be replaced if the application is approved by the local authority.
Commercial estate agents Ryden had marketed the property.
Agent John Conroy said: “It’s a fantastic big building, which, unfortunately, has been lying empty for quite some time.”
Galbraith’s Stores opened its first shop in Linwood Village in 1894.
The business expanded to 220 grocers and butchers by 1954.
It manufactured its own goods and ran a bakery in George Street.
Bosses made their own biscuits and pickles and preservatives.
The Back Sneddon Street site became a major hub for meat, with ham-curing and sausage-making taking place.
Tea blenders also worked there making their own recipes by hand.
The warehouse served the network of shops across the west of Scotland – including in the town centre, Shortroods, Ferguslie, Glenburn and the west end.
The chain was bought over by Home and Colonial in 1954 for £2,340,000.
It was sold again 25 years later to Presto, which later became Safeway UK.
Councillors will vote on the plans at an upcoming planning meeting.