Proposed new designs for Rutherglen Shopping Centre
Mar 20 2013
by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer
As part of Moorgarth’s rejuvenation of Rutherglen Shopping Centre they have revealed bold new plans to alter the layout of the facility.
Speaking at last week’s Rutherglen Community Council meeting, Moorgarth managing director Tim Vaughan explained the new plans with i10 design architect Colin Strain.
In addition to the inside of the centre being altered, there will be changes to the front and rear entrances, as well as the car park.
Starting at the front of the centre, the shop front will be brought forward, effectively removing the canopy. The new `Rutherglen Exchange’ sign will also replace the old Rutherglen Shopping Centre one.
One of the major concerns for the company was the back of the centre. According to Mr Vaughan the tenants at the back were failing to trade well because of low number of shoppers who use the rear entrance.
They intend to implement several measures to solve this problem. At the access ramp outside the rear entrance they will knock down the concrete barrier to open the area up. At the back, where the old flower shop use to be, there will be windows installed to give more natural light. There will be a stairwell put in that leads from the car park so people can go directly to the back of the centre when they leave their cars. There will also be new signage installed. In addition there will be new toilets put in at the back of the centre on ground level.
Tim explained: “The new layout is a significant improvement on what it was.
“There’s always been a concern over the look, feel and safety of the back of the centre.
“Very few people actually use the back of the centre for that reason.”
They have also been in discussions with the coffee shop and aim to reposition the cafe to open up the floor of the centre.
Of the coffee shop Tim said: “It is a wee bit out of date. What we have come up with it something that opens up the views across the central square. ”
However the company are undecided what to do with the old Home Bargains store, although they may split it up in to three separate units.
They also intend to introduce a new sign at the car park.
Mr Strain said of the car park: “The first time I came to Rutherglen a year ago I drove past the entrance to the car park I didn’t know it was there as I thought it was a service yard.
“What we’re doing here is spending a bit of money and putting a nice entrance feature so when people come to the centre it is identifiable. “
The plans are currently going out to tender. Moorgarth say for that reason they are unable to put an estimate on how much it will cost, although they hope to have the work completed before Christmas.
