A shopping centre in Hamilton should be 'closed' and 'demolished' as part of a huge project.

South Lanarkshire Council has said two 'major' steps forward have been taken in the plans to deliver a 'brighter future' for the town centre.

In February, the council revealed a masterplan that included a 'much-reduced' amount of retail floorspace - taking into account the changing shopping habits and a large drop in footfall in shops over recent years.

The local authority's masterplan instead places a new emphasis on town centre living, with around 450 new homes and civic spaces in the heart of Hamilton.

READ MORE: £300 million plan to develop Merchant City reaches 'significant' milestone

Now, it has been agreed that the New Cross Shopping Centre in the town - which was returned to council ownership in September 2021 in a 'very poor state' - should be closed as soon as possible and demolished.

The centre will be destroyed to make way for the redevelopment.

The agreement was made on Wednesday, May 8, at the Executive Committee meeting.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that the council should waive its right to buy back the town's Bairds building.

The building is currently being marketed by JD Wetherspoon after it decided not to proceed with plans for a new pub and restaurant. 

Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “These really are significant steps in making our vision for a thriving Hamilton Town Centre a reality.

“Unfortunately, New Cross does not have a retail future. It would require massive investment which makes no sense in the current market.

"Instead, the area can have a new future where families can live and grow in a new town centre community.

“Waiving our rights to the former Bairds building will hopefully allow it to become another key part of that new future, and it would be good to see that landmark site once again part of a bustling town centre.”

According to the local authority, the New Cross decision will allow the council to complete negotiations with the remaining tenants to close the shopping centre, with plans to be drawn up for demolition at a future date.

The reports covering New Cross and the Braids building were discussed in private by the committee so confidential business details could be heard.