Major £200m investment announced at Braehead

Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) the owner of Braehead, has lodged a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) with Renfrewshire Council, which indicates its intention to submit a planning application for permission in principle to build new leisure, community and retail facilities at the shopping centre.

The proposals include a significant boost to public transport with the creation of a new integrated transport interchange for buses and to facilitate the new Fastlink service, which is hoped will extend from the south side of Glasgow to Braehead and Renfrew.

It is expected that the planning application, including proposals for a department store, will be lodged later this year.

There are also plans to build a new arena for ice and dry sports events, concerts, other entertainment shows, exhibitions and conferences; an hotel, cafes, restaurants and a new civic square.

General Manager of Braehead Shopping Centre, Peter Beagley said: "Braehead Shopping Centre has been a key part of the local community and the wider Renfrewshire area for the past 13 years and we are keen to continue our investment for the benefit of the area and indeed Scotland.

"Our investment will create much-needed jobs for local people and deliver a wider choice of retail and leisure for our customers, as well as significant improvements to public transport and public space.

"These proposals will see a huge amount of private investment coming into Renfrewshire and the west of Scotland. With this multi-million pound investment comes the welcome bonus of employment with up to 2,000 construction jobs - including apprenticeships for young people - and more than  3,000 direct and indirect jobs in leisure and retail when the extension is completed.

"We are very keen to make sure as many local people as possible benefit from these jobs and with approval for the project, we will set up a Jobs Shop on site for people to apply for the work that will become available."

CSC will be consulting with shoppers, the local community, retailers and other stakeholders to get their input into this exciting opportunity.