GLASGOW-based Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the main contractor for a new £70million shopping complex in the heart of the city.

It is expected work on the shops and 49 flats at the top of Buchanan Street, opposite Buchanan Galleries, will start within weeks.

The 155,000 sq ft complex will be only the second major city centre retail development to go ahead since the financial downturn.

In recent weeks, bulldozers have been on site to clear a maze of rundown buildings which previously blighted the city's top shopping street.

Developer Land Securities says work is now almost complete and that the start of construction work is "imminent".

It is estimated that at its peak more than 100 construction workers will be on site, with recruitment and training targeted at new recruits and apprentices.

Despite the recession, more than 75% of the space has already been snapped up, with American Chain Forever 21 opening its first store in the city.

The shops, cafes and restaurants are due to open by March 2013 ahead of the Commonwealth Games the following year. The flats should be finished by Autumn 2014.

Nick Davis, development director at Land Securities, said: "We are pleased to appoint Balfour Beatty as the lead contractor, given its strong track record of delivering high-quality, complex projects in busy city centres.

"This development is moving ahead rapidly and, with strong lettings, will create a new prime pitch on Glasgow's top retail street.

"As there is very little availability of well-configured space in the right location, we are capitalising on this demand and will bring more national and international fashion brands to Buchanan Street."

Tim Clarke, divisional managing director, Scotland, for Balfour Beatty, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by Land Securities as its partner to deliver this prestigious development in Glasgow city centre.

"We are committed to employing apprentices and new entrants to the construction industry."

In 2004, city planners granted Atlas Development permission to build the new Buchanan Street complex.

A rival developer challenged the decision and on three occasions the row ended up in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

In 2006 it reached the House of Lords, which backed the council's decision to appoint Atlas.

However, work was further delayed as the buildings in the block bounded by Buchanan Street, West Nile Street and Bath Street, had a number of owners.

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