We look back often criticising the redevelopment of Blantyre in the late 1970’s, but it should be noted back then, that with many of the buildings an eyesore, there WAS an appetite for redevelopment and providing something modern for the future.

In March 1978, MP and Doctor, Maurice Miller gave a grim warning that objections were now limited to just a few townsfolk, that were currently holding up the whole process.

In a statement, he said he had written to the Secretary of State for Scotland and Asda to find out just what stage the development had reached. The statement concluded that if those few objectors withdrew their objections, Asda could commence work by the end of June that year providing many much needed jobs to Blantyre.

The Scottish Development Agency and Government had given the all clear to the development but the District Council were dealing with 4 objectors to the Glasgow Road redevelopment. The council hoped to come to some sort of agreement with the 4 objectors, so that the process would not be held up further. The problem these objectors had was due to their compulsory order forced removal from premises on Glasgow Road and finding somewhere new, suitably as busy as before.

When Asda unveiled plans the year before in 1977, they stated in local newspapers, that without objection, they could get their store opened with 200 new jobs in under one year from the date of planning approval.

A fascinating subject, I will be writing extensively about Glasgow Road’s redevelopment on this website hoping to create a definitive account of such a life changing, significant event for Blantyre.

Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said,

Fairlie Gordon Good post Paul, redevelopment was much need at the time , but the cost was the heart & soul of Blantyre being ripped out, ( just my opinion )

Margaret Farmer When I left in 1977, there were so many empty derelict building on Glasgow. Sad that many of the buildings were not maintained over the years.

John Cornfield Asda tore the life and soul out of Blantyre
So I hope the councillors who got the big brown envelopes if they are still with us can sleep at night they should be ashamed of themselves

😡

Robert McLeod-Wolohan i started work in the warehouse when it first opened, it was hard work but i loved it lol

Robert McLeod-Wolohan but i agree with john, low blantyre main street was never the same, all the great shops that were there all knocked down. it was a sad day.

Gerard Barrett well said john you just have to look at bothwell and udingstons main streets the same could and should have been done in blantyre