Land Securities and Henderson Global Investors have invited members of the public to comment on proposals to double the size of Buchanan Galleries, one of Glasgow’s most popular shopping destinations.

LandSecs and Henderson Global Investors have asked local residents to give feedback on an outline planning application which is scheduled to be submitted to Glasgow City Council in spring of this year. If approved, construction could start on site in 2008.

The centre comprises around 600,000 sq ft (55,742 sq m) of retail space and is home to around 80 retailers, including John Lewis, H & M, Next and Gap. The proposed extension would see the centre more than double in size to provide approximately 1.2m sq ft (111,524 sq m) of retail and restaurant space.

Designs include demolition of the existing multi-storey car park and relocation of this above Buchanan Bus Station, the city’s main bus terminus. The extension to the shopping area will be built on the space created by the demolished car park. In addition, new shop frontages will be introduced on North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street, making the centre more accessible to shoppers.

Nick Davis, development director of Land Securities, said: ‘The aim is to make it bigger and better. We need to improve the choice to shoppers and visitors to ensure that the city centre maintains its attraction and ‘pull’ as a key retail destination in the UK.’