EFFORTS to bring jobs to Glasgow’s east end have been boosted by a multi-million investment deal.

Clyde Gateway has been awarded £5.5m from the Scottish Government towards essential funding to continue with regeneration programmes.

It has also been given a £1m loan from the Government’s SPRUCE fund for urban regeneration to build a new high specification manufacturing unit.

Clyde Gateway say it is responding to demand within the engineering and manufacturing sector for new purpose built high quality premises.

The unit will be built at Clyde Gateway East Business Park at Auchenshuggle on the old Clydesmill steelworks site

It is expected that it will be quickly filled and create 80 new jobs in the area.

The manufacturing unit is being built speculatively but in response to information on industry’s needs from Scottish Enterprise.

Councillor George Redmond, Vice-Chair of Clyde Gateway, said: “I am delighted with this twin boost for the city and the Clyde Gateway area.

“The new factory will help increase Glasgow’s manufacturing base which continues to be such a vital component in our efforts to continue the growth of the local economy.”

It is hoped the new unit will be the first of many with ample space for others at the business park.

Clyde Gateway will use the cash to build on the infrastructure improvements in the area and work to bring in more investment and much needed jobs.

Mr Redmond said: “It is pleasing that the Scottish Government is acknowledging Clyde Gateway’s great work with £5.5 million of funding for the coming year alongside a clear commitment to future activities as this will assist us in our wider efforts to attract the extensive investment and developments necessary to complete the task in hand.”

Kevin Stewart, Scottish Government, Local Government Minister, visited the site to witness construction work starting and announce the funding deal.

He said: “Over the last few years, Clyde Gateway has been at the forefront of transforming the east end of Glasgow beyond recognition.

“However it is essential that we maintain that momentum and this additional money being provided by the Scottish Government demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting the delivery of regeneration and improving the lives of the local communities across the east end of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.”

Clyde Gateway said it is halfway through a regeneration programme to last 20 years. Much recent activity centres on the Commonwealth Games facilities and athletes village but is only part of the programme.

The communities around Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Rutherglen and Shawfield have seen new housing and roads and improvements to community buildings in a bid to make it more attractive for people to live in and businesses to invest in the area.