A MYSTERY retailer is thought to be bidding to develop on the site of a former Barrhead factory.

East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) is set to debate the terms of a “commercial development” on the site of the old Nestlé and Spiller’s pet food facility.

The site on Glasgow Road, which closed down for good in 2004, employed more than 500 people in its heyday and was one of Barrhead’s largest employers behind Shanks.

However, a major commercial development is now set for the empty site – but ERC can’t discuss it due to “commercially sensitive” information.

But in a statement to The News, the plans were described as “extremely exciting” for Barrhead and East Renfrewshire as a whole.

In December 2012 it was revealed that a hotel operator, shops and restaurant development was set to transform the landmark site in Barrhead and create dozens of jobs. However, nothing ever came to fruition.

At the time ERC confirmed that the plans potentially included a budget hotel operator and “household” names, which councillors hoped would be operational in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

An ERC spokeswoman previously said: “We already have had positive discussions with a number of interested parties, mainly household names, but they will remain confidential until they have all gone through the tender process and successful candidates are appointed.”

A report on the development will go before elected councillors at a meeting of ERC’s full council on Thursday.

However, members of the public and press are expected to be excluded before the item is discussed and councillors have declined to comment when asked.

Councillor Tony Buchannan, convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth, said: “It cannot be discussed at this moment in time unfortunately due to commercially sensitive information.”

The factory was demolished in October 2012 after lying empty for nearly eight years following the shutdown of operations in 2004.

The neighbouring Scottish Water treatment works had been disused for more than 25 years – it has now been turned into the award-winning community garden Waterworks project.

Much of Glasgow Road in Barrhead has seen regeneration in recent years with the opening of the Bowerwalls Industrial Estate.

Councillor Buchanan added: “The work going into the town and the investment are significant, and we are beginning to see change for the better.

"It’s fantastic that even in these times of financial austerity, we are still able to move forwards and deliver the regeneration of Barrhead."

A spokesman for ERC said:“The plans being put forward for the former Nestle site in Barrhead are extremely exciting and we look forward to being able to update residents in due course.

"This is a fantastic development opportunity which will help the council to continue with its ambitious regeneration plans for the area, which is being complemented by the work being undertaken as part of our Glasgow City Region City Deal projects."