Out of Town Shopping Centres Braehead

Background Out of town shopping centres were actively discouraged by the government during the 1990s because of the negative influence on the High Street. Braehead was given planning permission to develop prior to this and opened in 1999 Out of town shopping centres were actively discouraged by the government during the 1990s because of the negative influence on the High Street. Braehead was given planning permission to develop prior to this and opened in 1999 Since December 2003 the government has relaxed the tight planning restriction on out of town shopping. Since December 2003 the government has relaxed the tight planning restriction on out of town shopping.

Braehead at Night

Site of Braehead 1932 Site of Braehead

Site Flat land Flat land Beside M8 junction 26 Beside M8 junction 26 Former traditional heavy industry e.g Braehead power station– brownfield site rather than greefield Former traditional heavy industry e.g Braehead power station– brownfield site rather than greefield Close to large popualtion Close to large popualtion Close to Clyde Tunnel for links to the North of the city Close to Clyde Tunnel for links to the North of the city Room for expansion Room for expansion 3 miles from Airport 3 miles from Airport

Advantages of Braehead Provides jobs (25% of Scotland’s population live within a 20 min drive from Braehead and 50% live within a 45 min drive) Provides jobs (25% of Scotland’s population live within a 20 min drive from Braehead and 50% live within a 45 min drive) Offers a range of shops under cover Offers a range of shops under cover Pleasant environment with eating establishments Pleasant environment with eating establishments Xscape provides more than just retail. Further expansion is occurring – office developments and housing Xscape provides more than just retail. Further expansion is occurring – office developments and housing Shoppers can use their cars and can avoid heavy congestion or parking problems Shoppers can use their cars and can avoid heavy congestion or parking problems Offers other amenities in close proximity Offers other amenities in close proximity Children are accommodated for Children are accommodated for Elderly and disabled catered for – lifts, wide entrances etc Elderly and disabled catered for – lifts, wide entrances etc

Disadvantages of Braehead Takes trade away from High Street – both Paisley and Renfrew have seen shop closures Takes trade away from High Street – both Paisley and Renfrew have seen shop closures To some extent discriminates against people without cars To some extent discriminates against people without cars Can cause localised congestion – Hillington junction is now considerably busier at peak times as well as during the course of the day Can cause localised congestion – Hillington junction is now considerably busier at peak times as well as during the course of the day Local people – NIMBY effect Local people – NIMBY effect Some would consider environment unappealing Some would consider environment unappealing High street shops found rather than more exclusive or specialised shops High street shops found rather than more exclusive or specialised shops