The owners of Buchanan Galleries, Henderson Global Investors and Land Securities have received outline planning consent to extend the existing shopping centre by around 65,000 sqm. In addition to this new retail floorspace, the £300m/2,000 job project includes 8,500 sqm of food retailing and 8,500 sqm of leisure use. The owners hope to draw in new international retailers through the availability of larger units, integrating the mall with Glasgow's night-time economy, and the introduction of new restaurants and improvements to the area around the centre. The proposals will make the Galleries (at 120,000 sqm) one of the largest city centre shopping outlets in the UK.

Current anticipated timescales will see Phase 1 of this significant investment begin in 2011.