Glasgow Harbour plan revived
Last updated 29th Jan 2020
The original vision for Glasgow Harbour to become a retail and leisure destination is being revived, a decade after the plans were hit by the banking crisis.
Councillors have given the green light to a plans for the ‘Glasgow Harbour Lifestyle Outlet’ to be developed on land bordered by both the River Clyde and River Kelvin.
Planning permission in principle had previously been agreed but the new application included more detail.
Developer Peel L&P run similar retail parks in Manchester, known as the Lowry Outlets, and at Gloucester Quays.
They are “promoted as being the opposite of a traditional, enclosed shopping mall”, a planning report stated.
Jason Pullen, Peel Lifestyle Outlets’ managing director, has said: “Shopping has evolved to become a major leisure activity.
“We are creating the next generation of outlet destination by delivering a balanced combination of exciting leisure and entertainment with a strong retail offering.
“Glasgow Harbour Lifestyle Outlet will have a multi-generational appeal, as operators are supported by events, activities and performance space.”
The proposals involve over 20,000m² of retail units, more than 10,000m² for leisure uses and restaurants/bars totalling almost 4000m².
Councillor Jon Molyneux said the approved planning in principle had been more focused on leisure than retail, but the more detailed plans showed more shops.
However, a planning officer said they were happy with the mixed-use development, which is set to be made up of six blocks.
Block A, located at the northernmost part of the site beside the Clydeside Expressway, will have 55 shops, five levels of car parking and a management suite. One of the shopping streets will include a covered street.
Block B will be two stories in height, with 33 ground floor retail units and a “single, large scale leisure unit at first floor”.
Eight food and drink premises and 11 retail units will be included in Block C as well as a 12-screen cinema.
A VIP suite and 17 retail units are planned for Block D and Block E would contain one food and drink unit and five retail units. The first floor would have a gym.
Block F, near the junction of the River Kelvin and the River Clyde, would be made up of two retail units, a large food and drink unit and rows of outdoor seating.