A MAJOR new £15million retail park for Barrhead has been given the green light by planners.

London & Scottish Developments are set to transform the former site of the Nestlé Purina factory on Barrhead’s Glasgow Road, with construction beginning in 2021.

It will see Lidl on the town’s Kelburn Street move premises to the 64,000 square feet development, along with a B&M and two drive thrus, one of which will be a Burger King, as well as a number of smaller retail units.

The news has been hailed by community leaders and locals, who say it is a “great opportunity” for the town. 

Councillor Tony Buchanan, Leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said: “This is fantastic for Barrhead.

“It will bring significant new jobs and extend the range of retail on offer within the town.

“The site has been derelict and thanks to Glasgow City Region City Deal funding we have been able to prepare the land for development and look forward to seeing it transformed into a thriving shopping location.

“It will be exciting to see it regenerated.”

There will be between 190 and 210 retail jobs, as well as construction roles created at the site, which has been lying empty for more than 15 years since the Nestlé Purina factory halted its operations.

Laura Molloy, president of East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce told the Barrhead News she hopes the development will “add value” to the town.

She said: “This development is a great example in the current climate.

“Barrhead has always had a really good occupancy rate in the town centre and there are very few empty shops.

“It survived right through the recession and we hope that this development adds value to the town.

“I think if you look at where the retail park is situated, it is near to the area of Dunterlie, which has really high unemployment rates.

“It is one of the areas in Barrhead, specifically, that could really do with those jobs.

“We know that the Work East Renfrewshire team have got the best opportunity with linking up the people living to the site with the construction and retail.

“I would encourage this development to bear in mind that this is a facility for the people of Barrhead and everything should be done to make sure residents have easy access to it. It should have walk and cycle routes to it.

“We would really urge those businesses moving into the units and the construction companies, to work with the people in Barrhead, to ensure that those living there
benefit from the inward investment.”

The former pet care facility shut its doors back in 2004 after the company blamed “changes in consumer preferences and technological development” for its decision.

It is understood that around 206 jobs were lost in the process.

Andy Richardson, development director at London & Scottish, added: “We are delighted to have secured planning consent for this major investment, which
will create retail jobs as well as numerous construction roles.

“We intend to start construction on site in early 2021 and to open later in the year with a retail provision that complements the existing town centre offer.

“The Barrhead site represents the latest in a series of successful retail developments.

“We have previously completed retail parks at Cowdenbeath, Aviemore, Cumbernauld and Paisley.”

But the announcement of the plans for the new retail park has sparked some concern among members of the Barrhead community.

Although the development is welcomed, the town’s community council have expressed their worries about what impact the retail park could have on existing Barrhead businesses.

Rosemarie McInally, chair of Barrhead Community Council, said: “My only concern would be the big retail outlets taking away business from the town centre. 

“We don’t know what the future holds and some of the smaller shops may have to shut down.

“We have seen it all before. Developers open these out of town places and the towns nearest it suffer. 

“It was like when Braehead opened, Paisley died. I know this isn’t as big of a development, but it is still a hefty development.

“Saying this, we do welcome the development of the retail park and the opportunity of the new jobs – that is a big thing for Barrhead, because we need it.”

But residents believe that it will be “great” for Barrhead, bringing “fantastic opportunities” to those who live in the area, following the coronavirus pandemic.

Lynn Costello-Duffy, said: “This is great for Barrhead I think.

“It will generate employment and bring others to the area for food and drinks at the drive thru which will be great for the local economy and any independent retailers locally.”

Jillian Reynolds added: “This is a great opportunity for work locally, especially after COVID-19 and people losing their jobs.”

What are your views on the new development? Contact us at editorial@barrheadnews.co.uk