AT LEAST 50 jobs could be created in Glasgow’s East End if planning permission to develop an Aldi at the Forge Retail Park is granted.

The development in Parkhead, which could help regenerate the area, would occupy two empty units North of Biggar Street and Gallowgate, create a filling station and increase parking by 172 spaces.

The proposals have been submitted to Glasgow City Council by Zander Planning who say they have taken measures to make sure their development “attracts on-going investment for maintenance and improvement” for the area.

If plans are successful, many locals who would usually shop in high streets in Parkhead and Tollcross and Forge Retail Park would be expected to use Aldi for their weekly shop.

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The aim of the development is to use the empty space that wasn’t used when Tesco was built 10-years ago. As a result at least £2.7 million from customers is expected to be diverted from Tesco to Aldi.

Retail park bosses are hoping to become more diverse and attract different businesses.

They currently offer a mix of food and convenience stores as well as non-food warehouses.

Little interest in the empty units has been shown from non-food retailers.

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Planning permission was previously granted in 2009 to transform the former Big W, a discount store, into a Tesco.

But plans did not adequately cover all the existing and proposed floorspace.

The site also offers drive thru and restaurant facilities including Pizza Hut, KFC as well as Carphone Warehouse, Pound Stretcher, Next, Currys and a security office.

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There are 33 empty shops in Parkhead alone making the vacancy rate of 14 percent higher than the UK average of 12 percent.

If planning permission is granted Zander Planning hope to follow the council’s plan to regenerate the area by developing the local economy, making efficient use of the land and avoid over development.

The local authority’s guidelines states that developments should be in town centres or at the edge of them and near other retails and commercial leisure centres.

Projects which aren’t central should be accessible via public transport.

The retail park has been identified as being at the edge of the town centre.

The application which was published on the council’s website last week is still to be discussed by the planning committee.

The manager of the Forge Retail Park didn’t wish to comment at this time.