We’re gonna rock down to The Avenue

The Newton Mearns shopping centre will see a number of improvements to its infrastructure over the coming months, including the creation of a public realm space at its Ayr Road entrance.

Michelle McCabe, centre manager, said: “The Avenue has been a centre of activity over recent months.

“We’re very much looking forward to the new public space, which will afford the mall a fresh outlook onto Ayr Road.

“It will open up exciting opportunities for a range of special events.”

Among the changes, free wifi will be introduced throughout the mall, while customer toilets will be given a complete contemporary style makeover to include disabled and baby changing.

Despite the changes, many customers think more needs to be done to attract shops to the centre following the closure of several outlets, including Next.

Shopper Fraser Davidson told The Extra: “I hope the improvements turn out well.

“If they want to encourage shoppers they should offer special rent and rate prices for independent/niche shops to set up in the centre.

“Everywhere you go its always the same big name shops, selling the same dull overpriced stuff. Also there seems to be far too many shops orientated towards women.”

Jane Macdonald added:“Perhaps get some decent shops. There are so many empty spaces, it is quite depressing. The outside is looking good but they need to concentrate on the inside.”