The £350 million shopping destination at Pollok opened last month, after an all-night marathon to clear building control.

At 8am there were 30 ‘snags’ still on the list. By the time Jenny Green, wife of Retail Property Holdings’ owner Paul Green, cut the ribbon to open the doors at around 10.30am, all the items had been attended to and the formal Building Control certificate signed.

Paul Green thanked everyone involved in the marathon project which had turned ‘dreams into reality.’

He said, ‘Support for this has been phenomenal especially from Westminster MP Ian Davidson, MSPs Johann Lamont and Charlie Gordon and local Councillors Willie O’ Rourke and Alex Glass.’ He was especially proud of the fact that the whole development – including the construction companies and retailers – had provided 3000 jobs. ‘Thanks to Greater Pollok Working Partnership at least half of these jobs will go to local residents.’

Of the 80 units in the bright avenue that wends its way through the 1 million square feet of retail space, only four are still available to rent. Opening day saw 25 units ready for business with another 25-30 scheduled to be up and running by the time this edition of the LOCAL NEWS is on the street.

The final element – a winter garden complex linking the mall with the bus station and providing many of the ‘dining experience’ eateries as well as a spectacular water feature – should be open by February next year. ‘Architecturally, Silverburn breaks the mould,’ commented Paul Green. ‘We consider it will be the best shopping centre in the UK.’

The first signs were that local residents agreed. ‘This is a wonderful centre and badly needed,’ said Betty Murdoch who lives in nearby Southpark Village. ‘I can shop locally now. Many of the staff are local people and they are giving friendly and attentive service.’ Trombonist Nigel Cox was one of the Slide Effect Quartet playing at the mall opening. ‘I’m from Dormanside Road originally,’ he said between tunes. ‘I think this place is nice – but it is huge!’

Margaret Baldwin said she couldn’t wait to see all the shops open. ‘The place is fantastic. We’ve waited a long time for this and there is a real buzz already.’ Her daughter Mary Theresa Baldwin was thankful the place was open before Christmas. ‘This will save me trailing into town for Christmas presents. That’s impossible with two youngsters. But Silverburn is only ten minutes’ walk for me now and I can bring the wee ones with me.’ She praised the help she’d received from staff at the Wedge as she searches for the right training and job opportunities for herself as a single parent. ‘Like a lot of single mums, I plan to go back to work.’

Pensioner Hugh Livingstone was checking out the place to hold a special family birthday celebration. ‘This is a vast improvement on the original Pollok Centre. But until all the shops are open it won’t come into its full glory.’

Councillor Willie O’Rourke is already looking ahead. ‘I foresee problems with the poor surface of the roads round about but this is a wonderful place.’

Built on the site of the former Bellarmine Secondary School, Silverburn will incorporate different art works over the next few years. One of them will be based on wooden chairs from the school.

The Silverburn site stretches over 72 acres. It has sophisticated car parking with red and green lights above each bay to let approaching drivers see at a glance, where there is an empty space. And it has its own motorway link – junction 2 off the M77. The motif used to identify the place was designed by the famous ‘Timorous Beasties’.

During the construction not one serious accident was recorded far less a fatality. Said Richard McInally, site safety manager, ‘There has been an exceptional safety ratio at Silverburn especially considering up to 3000 people were working on the site.’

Project Manager Richard Low was one of the key people up all night preparing for the ‘soft’ opening of Silverburn. ‘This is an emotional moment,’ he said as the doors opened to let shoppers in. ‘And there is a feeling of complete relief!’

The plans changed a great deal during the 12 years of site acquisitions and planning permissions. ‘But we have always included the local community in developments.

‘Now they have tremendous opportunities on their doorstep.’