A GLASGOW shopping centre has been deemed ‘no longer fit for purpose’ by locals who are campaigning for better facilities.

Castlemilk Community and Business Association (CCBA) have earmarked The Braes shopping centre, on Dougrie Drive, as a possible location for a new supermarket.

Members of the group have said the area is in desperate need of a food retailer, with many unable to access fresh produce through a lack of shops and public transport.

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Shoppers in the area currently have a choice of Iceland and B&M bargains, located in The Braes.

Since its creation in June, last year, the CCBA has been in talks with Glasgow City Council, local businesses and an asset management group to explore viable options for the development.

The group has held meetings with both Aldi and Lidl supermarkets to discuss the possibility of them investing in the area.

Glasgow City Council has been tasked with finding an appropriate site, with car parking facilities, if the development goes ahead.

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Maureen Cope MBE, chairperson of CCBA, said: “The Braes was created in the 1970’s – we don’t need a 1970’s shopping centre, we need a 21st century one to invite businesses to come and create local jobs.

“The shopping centre hasn’t been looked after and it’s not very well thought out. There’s no roof on it, the wind howls through and the rain and there’s small units that don’t have toilets.

“We’re not looking for anything like Silverburn but we need something.

“A lot of people in the community past and present have fought for these facilities – we’re lucky for what we’ve got here but we need to finish the job and get a food retailer and reasonably sized shopping centre.

“It needs to be something that brings people in.”

Stewart McDonald MP for Glasgow South, has said the area requires ‘significant investment’.

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He added: “For some time there has been concern that the local shopping centre, The Braes, is no longer fit for purpose and requires significant investment, with particular concern being expressed that Castlemilk, and its surrounding areas, no longer enjoy the benefits of having a major supermarket.

“Together – with my colleagues on Glasgow City Council – we are seeking discussions with major businesses in the hope that they will consider investing in this area of the city, which would provide vital services and job opportunities for the local people.

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“I am therefore very supportive of the aims of the Castlemilk Community and Business Association to secure a supermarket into this area of my constituency which currently does not have any.”