COUNCILLORS have expressed concern about the future of the Clyde Shopping Centre and vowed to protect it.

A number of empty units, and challenges such as competition from Braehead and last year’s BHS closure, prompted politicians to raise the matter as part of a debate on the regeneration of Clydebank.

And members of the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development (IRED) committee voted to amend a report to recognise “that the economic sustainability of the Clyde Shopping Centre will be a challenge in the coming years”.

Councillor Marie McNair said the council has a 19 per cent share in the centre and the authority needed to protect that asset. She also expressed concern about the seven empty units and businesses leaving because of rental costs.

She told the Post: “There are so many factors that are placing pressure on the viability of the shopping centre. I don’t want us to drift on until it’s too late to react positively to these pressures.

“I felt that it was nonsense that this wasn’t even recognised in the economic development priorities. I have ended that and I expect a step change in the council’s approach.”

Clyde Shopping Centre did not reply to a request for comment.

During the meeting, Jim McAloon, head of regeneration and economic development for the council, said the development on the site of the former Play Drome as well as the planning application for a Nando’s in the shopping centre would increase footfall.

He said that the expansion of Braehead represented a “worry” for regional shopping centres.

Richard Cairns, strategic director of regeneration, environment and growth, added that the loss of BHS had created an “adverse impression” of how the shopping centre was doing and that the last figures he had seen on the issue had shown that it was performing better than other centres in terms of vacant space.

The meeting came ahead of the planning application expected imminently to Renfrewshire Council for the new bridge from Renfrew to Dock Street in Clydebank.

Council leader Jonathan McColl said after the meeting: “With the uncertainty of Brexit, the continuing drain of Westminster austerity and a trend towards online shopping, it’s important that the council keeps an eye on this important local asset and does what we can to secure its future.”

Councillor Gail Casey said it was an “exciting time” for Clydebank with the Queens Quay investment, new leisure centre, care home, health centre and other developments, as well as potentially 100 new homes on the former St Andrew’s High site and 50 council homes in Clydebank East.

She said: “Change brings opportunities and challenges but I believe that the additional 3,000 people that will be living in the area of Queens Quay will be a great boost for the shopping centre.

“The plans for a new £70m bridge will help make access to jobs in Braehead and Glasgow Airport more accessible and will open up learning opportunities at the West of Scotland University in Paisley.

“It will take time to deliver all of the different elements of our regeneration plans but the outcome will be a more sustainable future for Clydebank, its shopping centre and the surrounding area.”