Future of Clyde Shopping Centre hanging in the balance

West Dunbartonshire Council officers believe that the landlords may be in touch with their bank about the future of the Clyde Shopping Centre.

The issue was discussed at a committee meeting last week where a progress report was brought before members.

Labour councillor John Mooney said: “I really welcome the fact that we are putting the money into the public realm at South Sylvania Way at the Clyde Shopping Centre.

“I understand from the exercise that the council has a great commitment to the shopping centre, but it is not shared by the shareholders.

“Is there any update on the negotiations with the majority shareholder about the ownership of the Clyde Shopping Centre?”

Councillors were informed that the shopping centre owners no longer want to invest in it – and may actually be in discussion with their bank.

Jim McAloon, the authority’s strategic lead for regeneration, said: “This is not a good sign. The agents who run the shopping centre on behalf of the owners have been keen to work with us, as they always do.

“We are in a position with the shopping centre where the actual owner has decided they want out of retail in Europe and as a consequence Clydebank is a victim in there.

“Part of the work we were going to do was to look at the shopping centre from a future prospect.

“That work was affected and stopped with Covid. I have asked for this piece of work to be started again and I would hope over the next three to six months we would be in a position [for this to work].

“From a regeneration perspective, I don’t think anyone would need a shopping centre the size of Clydebank at the moment. But the question is what would we do with the building? Where would we move it?

“There’s an awful lot of work that needs to be done.”

Councill officers will get in touch with the owners to have a discussion on where they are commercially with their bank. Further updates will be brought before committee.