THE CO-OPERATIVE is coming back to Barrhead more than 150 years after its original store opened.

A former petrol station on Paisley Road looks set to become home to a Co-Operative newsagents.

The organisation’s first store in the town occupied what is now Barrhead Housing Association’s head offices on Main Street.

For many the news will be welcomed as the land has sat derelict and unused since the closure of a drive through coffee shop almost four years ago.

However some residents fear it was cause un-necessary noise and traffic congestion.

Councillor Kenny Hay said: “There is not anything really like this down that end of the town, I think it will be a welcome addition for many people.”

The Paisley Road area has been served by just one newsagent for many years.

Victoria Stores, on the corner of Paisley Road and Victoria Street has faithfully provided a service to the community.

However many still faced travelling to Asda or Tesco for some basic groceries.

And while the new store will not be a full sized supermarket, it will bring much needed variety to the street.

Helen Girvan, 54, and Paisley Road resident: “The wee newsagent is good for your small things, milk and your papers - things like that.

“But if you need to do a wee bit of proper shopping it can be a bit of a hassle to get to one of the bigger shops - especially at rush hour.

“I think this will be a good change for this bit of the town.”

The site was formerly a petrol station, which shut down almost ten years ago.

Several proposals for the land have came and went, including several retail developments and the eventual The opening of a drive through coffee shop lasted less than six months before it was forced to close its shutters.

Several proposals were also rejected at the planning level due to concerns over pedestrian safety and inadequate traffic and parking management.

However in December plans for a medium sized retail store were approved, subject to conditions, and the Co-Operative was granted a licence for the property last month. at East Renfrewshire Council’s Licensing Board.