A historic Glasgow building that was once the flagship for the What Every Woman Wants department chain is to be demolished.
The category B-listed Victorian property that was a must for budget shoppers, revolutionising the city's fashion scene, before the likes of Primark and Matalan, will come down this weekend to be replaced by a modern office block.
Founded in 1971, the cut-price clothing chain was a staple on Argyll Street and the brainchild of retail entrepreneur Vera Weisfeld and her husband Gerald.
Known as What Everys, it grew to have more than 130 stores throughout the UK and that prime Argyll Street outlet.
At its peak, in 1989, the chain had a turnover of £100million, before the business empire was sold in 1990 for £50million by the couple.
It was closed in 2003 following a period of administration.
At least 3000 new jobs were to be created as a result of the development which aims to support the Argyle Street Avenues project.
Roads around the site will be closed from 8pm on Friday until 6am on Monday. Delays are expected until Monday morning when the roads reopen.
The developers, Osborne and Co, said in its proposals for the site: "We have been advised, independently, by conservation specialists that it is not worthwhile or possible to repair this building due to the condition of its façade and architectural significance."
The new £95m development was expected to accommodate up to 4,000 people.
Director Conor Osborne said the new development would deliver "a meaningful boost" to the local economy.
He said: "It will provide a competitive edge for the city, giving Glasgow a high-calibre development to attract blue-chip occupiers, and demonstrate the city is ready to support inward investment."
A spokesman for Historic Environment Scotland said: "We were involved in detailed discussions about the re-development of the site and provided advice to Glasgow City Council.
"Following careful consideration, we accepted the case put forward that the repair of the B listed building at 335-45 Argyle Street was not economically viable. We also concluded that the demolition of the adjacent C listed buildings did not raise such issues that we should object."
But Alistair McCusker, treasurer of the Blythswood and Broomielaw community council, previously raised concerns on behalf of concerned residents.
He said: “We will be losing a historic building. There are about 1000 people living in that area.
“We are concerned about the scale of the building. To plonk a building of that scale in this area just doesn’t feel right.
“I don’t think the sandstone C-listed building is dangerous and to remove an old building and replace it with something of this design will ruin the ethos of the area.
“The people who live in this area need to be taken into consideration but there has been no mention of them in this application. My preference would be to keep the skeleton of these building and build around them."
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