Pedestrian access is now closed to the Centre West section of East Kilbride Shopping Centre, with no through-route available from Rothesay Street to Centre West.
This change marks the latest stage in a large regeneration project for East Kilbride’s town centre, including plans to demolish Centre West.
Public access has been closed as the works begin (Image: South Lanarkshire Council)
Access to the shopping centre from Rothesay Street will now be through the new Plaza entrance, located between Waterstones and Boots.
All other entrances and exits remain unchanged.
Taking to social media, East Kilbride Shopping Centre said: “From today, public access through Centre West will no longer be available to allow for demolition works to progress.
“Public access to the centre from Rothesay Street will now be through our new Plaza entrance which is situated between Waterstones and Boots and exits beside Plaza Car Park exit ramp.
“All other entrances and exits remain in normal operation.
“Access to Centre West from Plaza will remain open but will be limited to customers using Superdrug who continue to trade in Centre West until their relocation to Plaza in May 2026.”
Superdrug remains open in Centre West, with limited access until it relocates to the Plaza in May 2026.
The ownership of Centre West in East Kilbride Town Centre transferred back to South Lanarkshire Council at the beginning of 2026.
The wider redevelopment forms part of a masterplan to deliver major changes in East Kilbride, including up to 300 new homes, a civic hub, improved public spaces, and upgraded retail and leisure opportunities.
The plans include up to 300 new homes, a civic hub, improved public spaces, and upgraded retail and leisure opportunities. (Image: South Lanarkshire Council)
Councillor Joe Fagan, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The aim of the Masterplan is clear – to provide a vibrant, new heart of East Kilbride that everyone who lives in or visits the town can be proud of.
“I always said East Kilbride faces a choice of two futures – radical change or radical decline.
“We chose radical change and now we can get on with building a better future for the town.
“I’m delighted with how things are progressing and the positive impact the changes will have on the town centre.”
Plans for the site include 250 to 300 new homes, with 25% allocated as social housing.
A new civic hub is also proposed, with space for community, arts, and leisure facilities.
A public square, upgraded streetscapes, and potential for new retail and ground-floor commercial space also form part of the scheme.
Several existing businesses in Centre West- including Muffin Break, HMV and TUI- have already relocated elsewhere within the centre.
The management team continues to work to bring additional retailers into East Kilbride.
Alan Smillie, centre manager at EK, East Kilbride, said: “We are entering an exciting phase as all partners work together to deliver the Vision that will transform East Kilbride town centre.
“It will be business as usual for retailers in other parts of the centre with every effort being made to ensure the demolition work, when it happens in 2026, causes minimal disruption.
“We also fully understand that retailers, shoppers, and the wider community will be keen to know how the work is progressing, so regular updates will be provided as the masterplan moves forward.”
Demolition work has forced the closure of a key shopping centre entrance as a major transformation project gets underway. (Image: South Lanarkshire Council)
The redevelopment of Centre West is one component of a wider regeneration plan for East Kilbride, which also includes a new supermarket, hotel, leisure facilities, and upgrades to the Malls.
East Kilbride Shopping Centre remains open, with all other entrances operating as normal.
The centre has said it will continue to share information with visitors and businesses as the project advances.
