The vast number of business opportunities which would open up to local companies as the Southern General hospital grows under a £700m development, was highlighted at the May meeting of the Glasgow South Business Club.

Speaker Mark McAllister, Community Engagement Manager of the NHS Greater Glasgow described how the 67 acre site would be transformed to cope with a 945 bed, acute services hospital, 9000 staff, more than 800,000 patients, 293,000 outpatients and upwards of 770,000 visitors.

He said, ‘We are keen to be the link between the area covered by the Central Govan Action Plan and the Clyde Waterfront Plan. The Hospital is in the middle of the two.’

A planning application is due to be heard in September. In January/February next year the NHS would ‘go to market’ to action the plan and the first phase is expected to be on site in 2009 with the general hospital completed by 2011and the children’s hospital the following year.

The Business Club’s annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday 19 June when the speaker will be Alison Sinclair Chief Executive of Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency (the former Govan Initiative and Equip which was previously known as Greater Pollok Development Company).

For further information contact club secretary Frank Bendoris on 0141 445 4554 or email: gsbc@govan-initiative.co.uk.