A HOUSING, retail and leisure transformation is being proposed for 1960s Glasgow shopping centre The Shawlands Arcade

Proposals for the Kilmarnock Road site are being brought forward by owners and operators, Clydebuilt LP, a property investment and development fund co-owned by Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Real Estate.

Neal Jamieson, director of Ediston Real Estate, said: “The pandemic and growth of online shopping has increased the need for town centre’s like Shawlands to reinvent themselves and grow their appeal by offering an exciting mix of shopping and leisure and keeping the ‘High Street’ experience alive.

“The new development will build on the success of the Shawlands Business Improvement District by adding to the eclectic mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants already offered by Shawlands, and the new homes will bring more people to this lively community.”

An initial phase — valued at £68million — would provide shops and more than 300 one, two and three-bedroom apartments for rent. Further retail units and homes would be added in following stages.

Improvements to the streetscape would include constructing the retail units on the same level as Kilmarnock Road, with generous pavement areas. At the centre of the development, behind the shops, there would be a landscaped public realm.