A NEW funeral home in Barrhead is set to open within days.

Balmoral Funeral Directors are moving in at the former Hurlet Carvery site, with the family-run firm opening their fifth branch.

East Renfrewshire Council rejected an application by Sava Estates for the development to go ahead but an appeal to the Scottish Government overturned that decision last year.

The funeral parlour neighbours the planned Hurlet Crematorium but the businesses are run by separate firms.

Pauline Ower, manager of the new funeral home, told the Barrhead News work has been taking place at the site since November to convert the space from a restaurant into three viewing rooms, three arrangement rooms and a large reception area.

She said: “You don’t realise how big a space it is. The big conservatory will be one of the arrangement rooms and everything is bright and modern, with a ‘country home’ look.

“We are in a prime location to help a lot of people’s needs for what they’re looking for.

“We are family-run and independent, so we can treat families the way we would want our own families treated.”

Some residents living near the site had voiced their opposition to the funeral parlour plans over concerns about parking provision and congestion on local roads.

Ms Ower, who has 14 years of experience in the sector, said there would be about 70 parking spots at the site.

When asked about traffic, she said she didn’t consider this would be an issue.

“I think it’s a nice link-up to have a family business in front with a family-run crematorium behind it,” she added.

“When meeting residents, they were happy it was a family-run business.

“Some people have no idea what’s involved in the process. Your loved one doesn’t have to have passed for you to phone and ask any questions.”