A CITY investor has created a £6.5m student living development inside a former council office building in Paisley.

Charles Good, part of Hawkwood Capital, and Glasgow lettings agency Be Central are behind MyPad Paisley which will open its doors on November 3.

Construction group Redpath has transformed the Gilmour Street building, which, when fully developed, will offer 242 en-suite student rooms.

It already has 142 on offer, and at room prices from £85 a week (and a £30 discount on opening), it is said to "offer boutique living at a fraction of the price regular student halls command".

Mr Good has been active for 30 years as an investor in early-stage SMEs and across sectors including technology, retailing, asset management, broking and oil and gas exploration.

He said: "I was attracted to creating MyPad in this location because it gave the opportunity of providing students with a modern, high-quality, well-equipped social hub for living in the heart of Paisley, a short walk from the University of West of Scotland campus and West Scotland College."

Mr Good added that the development would "bring tangible benefits to local shops and enterprises and give significant impetus to Paisley's inner city regeneration plans".

Graeme McEwan, the managing director of BeCentral which runs the Merchant Central block in Glasgow city centre, said: "Be Central is pleased to be associated with another building specifically tailored for the academic student market."

The offer includes an onsite laundrette, a common room, study room, high-speed wifi and a fridge hire option. Mr Good is said to be open to further MyPad projects.