THE boss of the country's biggest pram showroom has snapped up a plot of land to help customers have easier access to their premises.

Managing director Keith Stark discovered expectant mums and their partners were having their cars towed away while visiting the Glasgow Pram Centre and decided to take action.

He stumped up tens of thousands of pounds and bought a plot of land opposite the showroom. He is about to spend thousands more to transform it into a large car park for the exclusive use of his customers.

The pram centre boss agreed to pay out £140,000 for just over an acre of land which used to be the site of a shelter for homeless men.

James Duncan House, which was demolished by council chiefs last year, was in Bell Street - near the Gallowgate - opposite the centre's storage and showrooms in McFarlane Street where nursery furniture and hundreds of prams and buggies are on display.

Store manager Tracy Smith said: "The parking around here is horrendous. Customers often end up with parking tickets. Others have their cars towed away.

"Parking is a real problem. We're situated opposite a fire station so parking attendants regularly patrol the area to make sure roads are kept clear and often get vehicles removed."

A deal was struck between the business and City Property, one of a number of arm's-length organisations set up by Glasgow City Council.

Tracy said: "We have been considering relocating the business elsewhere, but now we'll use the land as a customer car park. Later we'll probably build another showroom and warehouse on the site."

Richard Rae, managing director of City Property (Glasgow) LLP, said: "We are delighted to have reached agreement with the Glasgow Pram Centre in regards to the sale of this land and once again deliver on our commitment to assist in the regeneration of the city.

"The redevelopment of this derelict site will improve the local landscape."

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk