A MULTI-million pound extension at a busy Glasgow shopping mall is taking shape.

The final piece of structural steelwork has been hoisted into place at the Silverburn centre to accommodate nine new eateries and a 14-screen cinema, which are due to open at the South Side mall by this time next year.

The giant frame represents a £20million investment by London-based firm Hammerson, who own and manage the shopping centre.

Bosses reckon the 10,900 sq m extension will generate an extra £1m in rents each year at the mall, which last year generated rentals totalling almost £300m.

The extension will include nine new restaurants - including a Zizzi Italian, a Pizza Express, a TGI Friday, a Carluccio's and Glasgow's first Cosmo Asian eatery - along with a Cineworld cinema offering film fans 14 screens to choose from.

The eateries are due to open before the end of the year and Cineworld is expected to run its first movie next spring.

General manager, David Pierotti, said: "We're proud to be extending our award- winning mall and it's fantastic to see our development come together so quickly - it is a real milestone."

GORDON THOMSON