HUNDREDS of jobs are to be created at a Glasgow shopping centre after a £20million extension got the go-ahead.

Silverburn, in Pollok, is to get a multiplex cinema and nine new restaurants as well as several new shops and a Gala bingo hall, with the names of traders and operators to be announced in the coming weeks.

Up to 350 full time jobs will be created after city councillors approved the multi-million pound makeover, which will see the South Side shopping mall extended by an extra 200,000 sq ft.

A quarter of the development will be occupied by an 11-screen cinema.

The extension will be built at the rear of the existing mall opposite Pollok bus station, where an existing bingo hall and several shops trade. The site will be cleared and a new bingo hall and shops built.

Talks got under way a year ago with Silverburn owners Hammerson to try to persuade existing traders such as Farmfoods and Greggs to relocate and an announcement is expected soon

Martin Plocica, director for UK shopping centres at Hammerson, said: "The achievement of planning consent is a significant step for Silverburn.

"The leisure extension is a key enhancement that will increase Silverburn's appeal as the first-choice regional destination... positioning Silverburn as a true day-out alternative to Glasgow city centre."

The mall's director, David Pierotti, added: "We are thrilled to have secured planning for this exciting extension.

"We expect the development will be a further revitalisation to the Pollok community with the prospect of employment, training."

The go-ahead comes six years after Silverburn opened at a cost of £350m.

Today the mall employs more than 2000 staff, with over half coming from Pollok.

Work on the extension is expected to begin in the coming months and will be completed around June next year, with the cinema due to open several months later.

It's the second jobs boost for Glasgow's retail sector this week after the Evening Times revealed two days ago that more than 200 jobs would be created with the launch of the new £70m Buchanan Quarter.

The latest shopping attraction for Buchanan Street will include US fashion firm, Forever 21, which has chosen the city centre for its first Scottish franchise.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk