In celebration of the success of Greenlaw Village, a new £30m retail parade and neighbourhood centre, local business leaders held a Topping Out Ceremony at the site located off Crookfur Road in the heart of Newton Mearns.

Developer Bryan Wilson of Gleniffer Estates was joined by Councillor Tony Buchanan, Economic Development & Regeneration Convener, East Renfrewshire Council and Vicki Reid, Department Manager Retail at Waitrose Byre’s Road.

The trio gave a helping hand to the building works which will transform the 6.14 acre site and has already created vital new jobs for the community.

Since its launch last year Greenlaw Village has been a retail success with phase one attracting UK brands, such as Tesco Express, along with a string of local businesses creating much needed facilities for local residents.

Most recently Waitrose announced that it’s to develop its largest Scotland store at the development which is scheduled for opening in Easter 2011. Gleniffer Estates successfully sold the Waitrose development to an unnamed pension fund last month, off a yield of 4.75%.

Bryan Wilson, Gleniffer Estates, said: “There’s been a tremendous amount of work to get to the position we are in today but we are over the moon with its success especially against a back-drop of such a tough economic climate.

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“Waitrose is a perfect band for Newton Mearns and I’m sure it will attract shoppers from further a field. The job creation has also been a terrific boost locally and that, combined with the services which will now be available, is a great asset to the community.”

One class one and two class three units remain for lease within phase one and advanced discussions are underway for a proposed new medical and dental centre at the site.

Councillor Tony Buchanan, Economic Development & Regeneration Convener, East Renfrewshire Council added: “East Renfrewshire is widely considered to be a quality mark when it comes to areas such as places to live and raise a family and particularly in education. Having Scotland’s first new build and largest Waitrose store in Newton Mearns will enhance that reputation. It’ll add to the very good retail mix we already have and be an additional benefit to local residents for both shopping and employment opportunities. It also has the potential to bring new customers into the area which presents us with a further opportunity to promote a range of local services and opportunities right across East Renfrewshire.”

Work is well underway for the new 36,000 sq ft Waitrose store. Vicki Reid, Department Manager Retail at Waitrose Byre’s Road, Glasgow, added; "Building on the success of our Byres Road branch, this is another exciting development in Glasgow for our business which will help bring our offer of quality produce and service to more shoppers.

"Since coming to Glasgow we have established a very loyal customer base and increased the number of Scottish farmers and producers who supply us both here and throughout the UK. We believe our Newton Mearns store will not only enhance the local area by creating up to 200 new jobs, but as part of the Greenlaw Village add to the vibrancy of the area and encourage further investment in the city. As the development progresses past this landmark stage, we can't wait to open in Easter 2011."

(GK/KMcA)