Store giants clash over plans for East End mall

james73 · Store giants clash over plans for East End mall

Store giants clash over plans for East End mall (Evening Times)

TWO major retailers in Glasgow are going head to head over plans for a
major extension at an East End mall.

Owners of The Fort have applied for permission to extend the 37,000sq m
Easterhouse complex by 16,000sq m.

Almost half of the £25million expansion would be occupied by Marks &
Spencer, creating up to 300 new jobs.

Developer Hercules Unit Trust predicts another 200 jobs will be created
by the expansion on top of those in M&S 100 in retail and the rest during
construction.

But bosses of John Lewis in Buchanan Galleries have objected to the
expansion plan, saying they are unhappy about the impact on their store
and other city centre outlets.

However, city council planning chiefs are in favour of increasing the size
of The Fort and have recommended the planning committee gives it the
go-ahead when it meets tomorrow.

A planning department spokesman said: "The planning application comes
with a retail impact assessment which demonstrates there will be minimum
impact on the city centre and Parkhead and little or no impact on other
centres.

"The council has negotiated a developer contribution of £10m towards
town centre improvements such as the visitor centre, sports centre, civic
hub and pedestrian improvements."

The horseshoe-shaped shopping centre in the East End cost £200m to
build in 2004 and now has more than 70 stores which have created 1400
jobs. Of those, 900 have been filled by local people.

James H

james73

Green light for £75m Fort plans (Evening Times)

PLANS to expand The Fort shopping complex in Glasgow's Easterhouse
and replace the rundown nearby Shandwick Square centre have been
given the go-ahead.

The £75million expansion plan, which will create around 500 jobs, will
result in a Marks and Spencer store opening in the massive retail park.

The replacement Shandwick Square, on an area of unused land bounded
by Connisburgh Road and Auchinlea Road, will provide local shops,
offices, car parking and a childcare centre.

Hercules Unit Trust, which owns Glasgow Fort, is behind both schemes,
which have both been backed unanimously by councillors.

Phil Goodman, centre manager at Glasgow Fort, said: "We are extremely
excited about our expansion plans.

"The announcement comes after much planning and consultation with key
stakeholders and we are looking forward to seeing the plans come to life.

"We are committed to driving forward the regeneration of Easterhouse.
The ultimate aim for the area is to create an integrated, economically and
socially successful town, with a community hub.

"These developments will aesthetically improve the town centre and also
provide further employment opportunities for residents, by adding
significantly to the status of the area as a prime shopping destination."

Two thirds of the 1400 jobs created at the complex have been secured by
local people, who are given support and training, including the chance to
work towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification in retail.

James H

scallopboy

That'll give the local wildlife some more much needed retail space for blagging