FOR years, it has been something of a blot on the Barrhead landscape.

Now, at long last, the town’s tired-looking Main Street shopping parade is to get a much-needed facelift.

Work on a four-month-long refurbishment will get underway within weeks to bring the site into the 21st century.

READ MORE: £12m retail park will bring 100 new jobs to Barrhead​

However, developers behind the bid to breathe new life into the arcade admit they fear a further investment in Barrhead’s shopping scene, on the outskirts of town, could eventually sound its death knell.

Multi-million pound plans to transform a derelict site once occupied by Nestle into a “state-of-the-art” retail park were given a broadly warm welcome when they were first revealed by the Barrhead News last year.

However, Welcome Estates – managing agents at the Main Street arcade – fear the town isn’t big enough for both developments.

Spokesman Mark Bamberger said: “Everyone is aware of the way in which towns throughout the country have suffered as a result of out-of-town retail parks opening up and taking trade away from existing retailers.

“As anchor tenants are incentivised to move to these retail parks, the remaining independent or smaller chain retailers then struggle to maintain footfall.

“Formerly thriving shopping parades have become deserted as retailer after retailer closes down and the sites then become ‘hang-outs’ for anti-social elements of society.

“Although we acknowledge that retail is going through a very challenging period, we firmly believe that high street shopping in Barrhead need not be lost and that we can retain its retail units, so locals can enjoy a traditional shopping experience and benefit from the sense of community that local shops help to create and maintain.

“Unfortunately, it would be overly optimistic to believe that the Barrhead centre would not be in danger of becoming a ‘ghost’ parade, should permission be granted for the proposed retail park.”

Most shoppers in Barrhead would surely agree that the Main Street arcade, with its peeling paint and rusting pillars, is in desperate need of a transformation.

Now they can look forward to a number of improvements, including bright signage and new lighting.

Welcome Estates has pledged there will be no disruption to businesses while the revamp takes place.

Mr Bamberger said: “As managing agents, we are carrying out long-outstanding refurbishment works to the parade, which we are confident will have positive benefits for the tenants and for the street as a whole.”

Plans for the £12million Glasgow Road development, meanwhile, have yet to be approved by East Renfrewshire Council.

London & Scottish Developments has lodged detailed proposals for the project, which would see the likes of discount retailer B&M set up shop at the former pet food factory, which has lain derelict for 15 years.

Developers have also held discussions with a national food retailer and, on the leisure front, the new Glasgow Road Retail Park would chalk up another first for the town with two drive-thru options – one for food and the other for coffee.

In addition, there would be a pub, including a family-friendly restaurant.

Initial estimates suggest there would be around 100 new jobs for Barrhead as a result of the retail park, as well as some 40 construction jobs during the year-long building period.

East Renfrewshire Council said it is keen to see a variety of shopping outlets flourish throughout Barrhead, including a newly-refurbished Main Street arcade.

A spokesperson added: “With all of the positive work carried out in Barrhead, the improvement of the shopping centre is the final piece of the jigsaw, so it is extremely encouraging that it is now set to be upgraded.

“We welcome any investment in the town centre and are confident that the exciting £12million plans for redeveloping the former Nestle site, which has been derelict for 15 years, will complement the existing retail offer on Main Street.”

Barrhead News:

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton has also welcomed the plans to revamp the Main Street shops.

He said: “This is something that, for quite some time, constituents and I had been calling for.

“It is good to see investment in the Main Street finally coming to fruition.

“I understand concerns that a new retail park may take away some business. My team and I stand ready to help in any way we can.”

Developers insist retail park will be ‘good for town’

Developers behind the new Glasgow Road Retail Park have defended the project against claims it will drive shoppers away from Barrhead’s Main Street.

Bryan Wilson, of London and Scottish Developments, said they are in discussions with a number of retailers as plans for the shopping hub take shape, with more details to be announced over the next few months.

He added: “The planning authority have designated the former Nestle site as a retail development opportunity and, as such, our plans comply with council policy.”

Mr Wilson, who is from Barrhead, oversaw the Waitrose-anchored development at Greenlaw, in Newton Mearns, before joining London and Scottish Developments.

He has previously claimed the Glasgow Road Retail Park will be a massive boost for the whole town.

Speaking to the Barrhead News last September, Mr Wilson said: “The retail park development is significant in terms of bringing an old centre of employment back to life, removing a derelict blot on the landscape and providing magnificent new retail and leisure services.”

Mr Wilson also said measures will be put in place to try to ensure as many of the new jobs as possible go to local people.

East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes the new investment

East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the decision to revamp the Main Street shopping arcade.

Laura Molloy, Chamber president, said: “The investment that has gone into the area, such as at the Foundry, means the Main Street is looking fantastic and it will be great to see that section being developed, to show off its potential. Barrhead has always had a thriving town centre and never had occupancy issues the way other town centres have. I would hope that it would remain very resilient and the upgrades would go towards the continual improvement of Barrhead.”

Barrhead News:

Business experts are also predicting a major boost for Barrhead if the £12million Glasgow Road retail park gets the green light.

Ms Molloy added: “There is a huge amount of investment coming into the area as a whole and I think that, with all the additional housing and industrial development coming into the area, those type of facilities would be a great addition to Barrhead and create a lot of jobs.”