New phase for Gallagher Shopping Park in Port Glasgow

The owner and developer of the land, Gallagher has appointed BAM Construction to build a new £10 million store pre-let to B&Q, the UK’s largest home improvement and garden centre retailer, a Costa Coffee Drive Thru Restaurant and a Marstons Family Pub and Restaurant which has been welcomed by Inverclyde Council. The store will comprise 65,000 sq ft together with an external garden centre and a builders’ yard, and be served by a 340 space surface car park.

Dignitaries gathered on site on Friday to take part in a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of work on site, which is scheduled for completion in November this year.

The event was attended by Tony Gallagher, Chairman Gallagher UK, John Mundell, Chief Executive Inverclyde Council, Stuart Jamieson, Director of Planning and Regeneration Inverclyde Council, Councillor Stephen McCabe, Leader of the Council, Councillor  Michael McCormick, Convener Environment & Regeneration Inverclyde Council and Douglas Keillor, Regional Director BAM Construction.

To date, Gallagher have invested over £40 million in Port Glasgow implementing the realignment of the A8 trunk road, providing a new civic square, and undertaking environmental improvements to the foreshore of the River Clyde, as well as delivering the 110,000 sq ft Tesco Extra store.

Gallagher’s Chairman, Tony Gallagher, added: 'We are delighted to be working with Inverclyde Council on the on-going regeneration of the former Scott Lithgow and East Glen Yards in Port Glasgow. The new B&Q store, together with the opening of the new facilities for Costa Coffee and Marstons will add to the viability and success of Port Glasgow town centre and will act as a catalyst for further development in this location. We are already in discussions with various tenants regarding the remaining 220,000 sq ft of floor space and hope to make further announcements regarding lettings in the coming months.'

Douglas Keillor, Regional Director for BAM Construction in Scotland, said: 'We are delighted to have been awarded this contract following a competitive tender process and this maintains BAM’s strong track record in the retail sector.'

The news was welcomed by Inverclyde Council. Inverclyde Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: 'This is a welcome day for Port Glasgow and Inverclyde, marking a significant moment in the economic regeneration of the town. This investment shows real confidence in the future prosperity of Port Glasgow and reflects the effort and enthusiasm being shown by the Council, our partners and business.'

The sentiment was shared by Environment & Regeneration Convener, Councillor Michael McCormick, who added: 'I am delighted development of the site is now underway. The Council has made significant investment in the regeneration of the town centre and continues to work hard towards improving the employment prospects of its people. We now have a development that promises jobs and will attract shoppers and visitors to the area, and can only build on the work that is already underway.'