Proposal unveiled to modernise Buchanan Galleries

Proposals to revamp the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow have been unveiled.

Owners Landsec announced last year it intended to ditch a plan to demolish the shopping centre in favour of redevelopment.

Now the company has lodged a planning application with Glasgow City Council regarding the site that would see a destination food hall added and improved accessibility created.

Landsec said the plans for the shopping centre would "truly reflect the priorities of the local community."

Possible additions to the site include reconfiguring and modernising the existing mall in a way that would "better engage" with Buchanan Street, adding new leisure and dining concepts - including a destination food hall - and developing a new retail and leisure space in the gap site beside the centre.

There would also be a focus on improved accessibility and a new digital art strategy to support brands and civic activities in Glasgow.

Stuart Orr, Landsec's senior development manager, said: "Our plan is a direct response to the community's call for improved retail and leisure spaces in Glasgow.

"Extensive stakeholder engagement over the years has shaped a solution that truly reflects the priorities of the local community."

The proposals are the latest ideas in a long-running attempt to redevelop the centre, which opened in 1999.

The plans have been worked on with the Threesixty Architecture firm. The centre would remain open while construction work was carried out.

Threesixty Architecture's managing director Alan Anthony said the new look would make the shopping centre "more open and inviting", helping it become a "key civic space" in the city.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said the proposals showed " a renewed and growing confidence in Glasgow" as a city.

The plans can be viewed in person at the galleries from 26-28 June.