Easterhouse in Glasgow is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of plans for a new town centre and expansion of one of the country's most popular retail destinations.

If both bids get the go-ahead, the Glasgow Fort shopping centre on city's eastern edge will expand by a third. Easterhouse will also be given a focal point with a new civic square, a 7,000 sqm shopping centre, bank and post office as well as catering, office and creche facilities.

The scheme would see the existing Shandwick Centre demolished. Glasgow City Council has negotiated a package with the Hercules Unit Trust, which wants to develop the Fort, which would involve it contributing £10m towards improvements in Easterhouse such as the Provanhall Visitor Centre, new sports facilities and road and pedestrian upgrades linked to the proposed new town centre.

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The Fort has become a major local employer in a notorious benefits blackspot. It is hoped the £25m expansion will create 500 new jobs, the bulk of which would go to people in the area.

The Fort has been criticised for having poor public tranpsort links, although transport company First Group has said it is reviewing provision.

The report on the new neighbourhood centre states: "The proposal forms one part of a package of measures designed to improve civic, cultural and retail provision in Easterhouse. An independent planning study concluded that Shandwick Square is in serious decline and the case for retention is questionable in financial and design terms. There is no other cost effective way of attracting local services such as offices and a creche."

(NS/JM)