This will bring back some memories. Going back to 1985 in this great photo. Pictured thirty nine years ago (yes really!), it is of course the Clydeview Shopping Centre.
I think it actually looked ok with trees, shrubs and flowers in the brick planters, rather than the disgrace of those being empty for over 2 decades!
And busy too! People out shopping, perhaps chatting about what new shops were opening or what was missing from the ‘old days’.
Such potential in this photo. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if things had progressed differently. What if Lanarkshire Council had permitted local small businesses to open with realistic rents or developed a town square?
Seats outside in summer, Twinkly lights through the trees, free wifi, with units for soft play, youth centres or cafes. A developed “town square or centre” with small retail units for salons, bakers, butchers, hairdressers and other businesses.
Knocking down these privately owned units was supposed to make Blantyre better in recent years, the redevelopment plans for new units now fallen by the wayside, now with a bizarre, unused undeveloped scar along the premium Glasgow Road frontage. New units canned.
The left hand side is of course now all gone. Perhaps you know some of the faces in this photo? Can you remember the left hand side shops of this mid 80s era?
