Five new retail units are to be created at Paisley's Abbotsinch Retail Park by contractor Barr Construction.

The work is part of a new multi-million pound extension at the site, which already houses existing occupiers B&Q, DFS, Comet and Harveys.

In October 2013, park owners Hammerson acquired Abbotsinch as part of a £254.5m deal, which saw the developer take ownership of the retail facility and three additional parks in Thurrock, Telford and Bristol.

Now, the developer is investing in new facilities at Abbotsinch. It has awarded the contract to Paisley-based Barr Construction, who will create the new 53,000 sq ft scheme.

The new development will be a steel frame structure and will feature glazed shopfronts and entrances, with brick cavity wall and column enclosures and part composite metal cladding.

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The main contractor will also make improvements to the existing car park, create a new access road from Renfrew Road and make the associated highway improvements.

The adjoining Chivas goods yard will also be extended.

Derek Simpson, Operations Manager at Barr Construction, said: "Abbotsinch is an extremely popular retail park. With work starting at the end of 2013 we have already made good progress despite challenging weather conditions and we look forward to creating a development Paisley can be proud of."

Andrew Berger-North, Hammerson Director Retail Parks, added: "Abbotsinch Retail Park already had a strong retail line up, however we felt we could enhance the number and quality of retailers with an extension.

"We are now on-site and have been extremely pleased with the level of interest from retailers for space, with three retail stores already let and significant interest in the remaining stores.

"We are investing over £9 million in the scheme and not only are we able to bring new retailers to the area, but the investment importantly brings new job opportunities for the area."

(JP/MH)