Braehead

Until at least the 18th century, the site was an island in the River Clyde known as King's Inch (a name that is still reflected in the road that divides the site).

The initial castle at Renfrew was constructed on King's Inch in the 12th century by Walter Fitz-Alan, High Steward of Scotland.however It was deserted in the 13th century and substituted by a stone castle in what currently stands as the centre of Renfrew.{{cite web |title=Renfrew, King's Inch |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/44167/renfrew-kings-inch |website=Canmore |access-date=16 August 2020}} By the latter portion of the 15th century, Sir John Ross was obtained the lands of Inch along with the remains of this castle, where he erected a three-storey castle known as the Inch Castle.

In 1769, the King's Inch was purchased by Glasgow tobacco merchant Alexander Speirs, who demolished Inch Castle in order to build a country mansion, Elderslie House.{{cite web |title=Elderslie House |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/44202/elderslie-house |website=Canmore |access-date=16 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Elderslie House |url=https://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSB00268 |website=The Glasgow Story |access-date=16 August 2020}} Completed in 1782 (demolished in 1924), Elderslie House was designed by Robert Adam.

{{expand section|date=October 2011}}

The power station was built after World War II, originally coal-fired but later converted to oil to reduce emissions.[https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1970-07-13/debates/5bf86176-c310-4d55-82be-bb17cca9146e/Scotland(FuellingOfPowerStations) Hansard 13 July 1970] It was located on the north side of King's Inch Road,{{Cite web |last=Contributors |first=Ewan Crawford |title=Braehead Power Station - RAILSCOT |url=https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/B/Braehead_Power_Station/ |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.railscot.co.uk |language=en}} and remained operational into the 1980s, undergoing demolition in the 1990s.{{cite web |title=Renfrew, Braehead Power Station Canmore |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/90336/renfrew-braehead-power-station |website=canmore.org.uk |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Renfrew Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland |url=https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/renfrew/renfrew/index.html |website=www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk}}

On 4 January 1977, a serious fire and explosion occurred at a warehouse in the Braehead Container Clearance Depot, adjacent to the Power Station. The fire was started accidentally by three boys who had lit a fire to warm themselves at a den that they had made, during the New Year holiday, from cardboard cartons stacked beside the warehouse. The fire detonated 70 tonnes of sodium chlorate weedkiller stored in the warehouse, producing a blast estimated by HM Inspectorate of Explosives as being equivalent to up to 820 kg of TNT.The Fire and Explosion at Braehead Container Depot, Renfrew (Investigation Report), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), published 31 Dec. 1979{{cite web |title= The Fire and Explosion at Braehead Container Depot, Renfrew|url=https://www.icheme.org/media/13693/the-fire-and-explosion-at-braehead-container-depot-renfrew.pdf |website=IChemE |access-date= 16 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Exploding the myth of chlorate safety |date = 22 March 1979|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m8RDZYeVo_MC&pg=PA935 |publisher=New Scientist |access-date=16 August 2020}}

About 200 stores and homes in Renfrew and Clydebank had their windows shattered by the explosion, which was heard throughout the entire Greater Glasgow region and sent flying debris as far as 2.8 kilometres away. The explosion is estimated to have cost £6 million in damage. In large part due to the National Bank Holiday in observance of Hogmanay celebrations, there were no deaths. Twelve people required treatment for shock and minor injuries.

Braehead forms part of the Renfrew Riverside redevelopment area, a part of the wider Clyde Waterfront Regeneration project. The Braehead area includes:

• an indoor shopping centre;
• ice skating / curling facilities;{{Cite web |title=Braehead Ice Centre - Skating, Hockey & Lessons {{!}} Glasgow |url=https://braeheadicecentre.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Braehead Ice Centre |language=en}}
• Krispy Kreme doughnuts;{{Cite web |date=2020-10-27 |title=Krispy Kreme - Braehead Glasgow |url=https://www.braehead.co.uk/store-finder/krispy-kreme/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Braehead |language=en}}
• The Braehead Arena - along with extensive covered and open-air car parking);
• A Xsite (formerly Xscape and Soar) adventure complex;
• A small business park.

{{Infobox shopping mall

| name = Braehead

| location = Renfrewshire, Scotland

| coordinates = {{coord|55.875987|-4.364843|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| image = Braehead Shopping Centre - geograph.org.uk - 118773.jpg

| opening_date = September 21, 1999{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12247151.fears-for-town-trade-as-braehead-centre-opens/ |title=Fears for town trade as Braehead centre opens |work=The Herald |date=22 September 1999|access-date=19 December 2022}}

| developer =

| owner = Savills

| number_of_stores = 110

| number_of_anchors = 7 (Primark, New Look, Boots, Next, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and IKEA)

| floor_area = {{convert|98,474|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}

| floors = 2

}}

The shopping centre opened in September 1999 and comprises {{convert|98,474|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} of retail and leisure floorspace.[http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/braehead/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925184348/http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/braehead/|date=25 September 2006}} The centre has 110 shops in the main covered mall, and a further 10 in a retail park of larger stores. Braehead is also home to Glasgow's IKEA store, which opened in September 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_JP/about_ikea/facts_and_figures/ikea_group_stores/united_kingdom.html |title=United Kingdom – IKEA |website=www.ikea.com |publisher=IKEA |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190317190355/https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_JP/about_ikea/facts_and_figures/ikea_group_stores/united_kingdom.html |archive-date=17 March 2019 |url-status=live }} and sits near the King George V Dock. At {{convert|29,000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, it is the largest IKEA store in Scotland and at the time of opening was the largest in the United Kingdom. Since opening, the centre has proved popular with consumers, and it has even been blamed for a downturn in the fortunes of shops in nearby Paisley, Govan and Renfrew.

Sited within the same building as the shopping centre is the Braehead Arena and other facilities including an ice rink. In 2000, its curling facilities hosted the World Championships, and in 2005 they were used as training facilities when the Women's World Championships were being held in Paisley.

On 7 October 2011, a father was stopped by security and questioned by police under anti-terror legislation after photographing his daughter at an ice-cream stall. This resulted in a social media backlash and statements from both Braehead's management and Strathclyde Police.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15236758 |title=Row over photo in shopping centre |work=BBC News |date=10 October 2011|access-date=10 October 2011}}

As of January 2013, a planning application was submitted to Renfrewshire Council for 'permission in principle' to build a new mixed-use development at the centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/braehead_shopping_centre.htm|title=Braehead Shopping Centre - Glasgow Skating |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013}}

In 2018, Braehead was named the top Scottish shopping centre in a GlobalData report.{{cite web |url=http://internaltools.globaldata.com/static/GlobalData%20Consulting%20Top%2050%20UK%20Shopping%20Centres%202018.pdf |title=Top UK Shopping Centres |website=internaltools.globaldata.com |access-date=23 October 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/intu-braehead-silverburn-east-kilbride-13437508 |title=New report names its top Scottish shopping centre |website=www.insider.co.uk |date= 18 October 2018|access-date=23 October 2020}}

Following Intu Properties plc entering administration in June 2020, a subsidiary of the company called Intu SGS received funding to take full control of the centre along with Lakeside, Victoria Centre and Intu Watford. The transfer from Intu to Intu SGS is expected to take place by the end of 2020, and will involve Global Mutual becoming asset manager of the centres and Savills serving as property manager.{{cite news |last1=Nazir |first1=Sahar |title=Intu SGS secures £30m to take full control of 4 Intu centres |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/08/intu-sgs-secures-30m-to-take-full-control-of-4-intu-centres/ |access-date=30 August 2020 |work=Retail Gazette |date=27 August 2020}}

In 2020, it was reported that Braehead Shopping Centre was trialling the use of full-body security scanners at the entrance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/18851605.braehead-shopping-centre-introduces-full-body-security-scanners/|title=Did you see these today? Braehead shopping centre introduces full-body security scanners}}

From September 1999 to October 2010, the Scottish Maritime Museum operated Clydebuilt at Braehead, a museum which explored the history of the Clyde shipbuilding industry and the industrial development of Glasgow and the River Clyde.

The museum had been built by and was subsidised by the owners of the shopping centre, but after they withdrew support the museum became financially unviable and Scottish Maritime Museum were forced to close it and transfer its exhibits to their other sites at Irvine and Dumbarton.{{cite news |title=Clydebuilt Museum at Braehead set to close {{sic|i|t's|nolink=y}} doors for good on Saturday |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/clydebuilt-museum-braehead-set-close-2582316 |access-date=16 August 2020 |publisher=The Daily Record |date=16 October 2010}}{{cite web |title=Clydebuilt |url=https://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/Clydebuilt |website=Secret Scotland |access-date=16 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Clydebuilt museum to close as landlord axes £100,000 subsidy |url=https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2010/09/01102010-clydebuilt-museum-to-close/# |access-date=16 August 2020 |publisher=Museums Association |date=28 September 2010}}

The building is now occupied by Krispy Kreme.{{cite news |title=Hole lot of excitement as Krispy Kreme bids for Glasgow store |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13211548.hole-lot-of-excitement-as-krispy-kreme-bids-for-glasgow-store/ |access-date=16 August 2020 |publisher=The Herald |date=28 April 2015}}

Xsite Braehead (formerly known as Intu Braehead Soar and Xscape Braehead) ({{coord|55.8792|-4.3713|region:GB_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline}}) began construction in November 2004 and was opened in March 2006 with its main use to teach people how to ski or snowboard. The building has a conventional shape, with the ski slope accommodated by a sloped cuboid structure projecting out the roof. The complex features a variety of entertainment activities,{{cite web |url=https://intu.co.uk/braehead/leisure |title=Leisure & entertainment at intu Braehead, Glasgow |website=intu.co.uk |access-date=19 March 2019}} including an indoor ski slope, rock climbing, an Odeon, bowling, RoboCoaster, mini golf and laser tag, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars.

The Snow Factor indoor snow slope featured a 168 m (551 ft) main slope with an additional {{convert|2,500|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} dedicated beginners' area for ski and snowboard lessons.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/outdoors/articles/snowsport/ |title=Scotland Outdoors Articles - Snowsport Scotland |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 April 2014}} On the main slope, two Poma button lifts gave a drag tow to the top and could be exited either at the halfway point on the slope or at the top. Rope tows were used on the beginners slope.

In December 2011, SNO! Zone Braehead was acquired by the Ice Factor Group and renamed Snow Factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-16267730 |title=BBC News - Lochaber's Ice Factor buys SNO!zone in Glasgow |publisher=BBC |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=4 April 2014}} Snow Factor closed permanently in 2023 due to rising costs and the age of the facility.{{cite web|url=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/xsite-braehead-announces-permanent-closure-of-snow-factor-indoor-ski-slope|title=STV News - XSITE Braehead announces permanent closure of indoor ski slope |publisher=news.stv.tv |date=3 October 2023 |access-date=11 December 2023}}

In March 2006, weeks before the complex was scheduled to open, the roof of screen seven of the Odeon fell in and required extensive re-building.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16790511&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=exclusive--lucky-xscape-as-cinema-roof-collapses-name_page.html|title=Lucky Xscape as Cinema Roof Collapses|date=9 March 2006|first=Ben|last=Spencer|publisher=Daily Record|access-date=5 December 2007}}

The mini-golf (which is housed below the cinema) opened in July 2006. The cinema opened on 19 October 2007, 18 months later than planned. "Stardust" was the first film shown. The cinema is fitted with RealD 3D (also known as Disney Digital 3-D technology) in screen 7, and is also capable of showing IMAX films. The cinema held the Scottish Pink Carpet Premiere of Universal Pictures film "Wild Child" on 30 July 2008. Both stars of the film, Emma Roberts and Alex Pettyfer, attended.

In March 2018, an 18-metre (59 ft) high slide, known as The Big Slide, opened to the general public. It is the tallest indoor slide in the UK. [https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/uks-tallest-indoor-slide-opens-14457927]

It has been announced that the ski slope structure is to being removed by the owners to create a multi level indoor ekarting track that is scheduled to open in 2025. at over 1,000m the track will be one of the largest indoor tracks in the world.

To the west of Braehead and adjacent to the town of Renfrew is the Renfrew Riverside area. Between the residential area and the shopping centre an Xscape complex (now named Xsite), providing an indoor ski slope and other entertainments and leisure facilities opened in early 2006.

To the south of the shopping centre is a small development called Braehead Business Park.

File:Bus station at Braehead - geograph.org.uk - 904001.jpg

Braehead can be reached from Junctions 25a (westbound) and 26 (eastbound) of the M8 motorway, and has extensive public transport connections including its own bus station. Buses run from many areas linking Braehead to Largs, Greenock, Paisley, Glasgow, Erskine and Johnstone. The Pride of the Clyde ferry service ran from Glasgow City Centre to Braehead's pier down the River Clyde regularly until October 2007.

A road bridge between Renfrew and Yoker on the north bank of the Clyde was constructed in 2024,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c90zkk32q13o First section of new Renfrew Bridge arrives on Clyde], BBC News, 24 April 2024[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cydrv6z3lp6o Final section of Renfrew Bridge floated up the Clyde], BBC News, 17 May 2024 providing easier access to Braehead for residents in that sector of the city.

After opening in 1999, Braehead was the subject of a boundary dispute between the Glasgow and Renfrewshire council areas, as originally the council boundary line divided the shopping centre in two. In 2002, a Local Government Boundary Commission ruling eventually redrew the boundary to include all of the centre in Renfrewshire, as this was the original ancient boundary.{{cite news|title=Glasgow MSPs lose Braehead battle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1973915.stm|access-date=13 June 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=7 May 2002}} The boundary runs along Kings Inch Drive and is marked by a chain linked fence at this point.{{cite web| url = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2002/156/schedule/made| title = The Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council Boundaries (Braehead) Amendment Order 2002}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.intu.co.uk/braehead Intu Braehead]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928225619/http://www.braehead4business.com/ Braehead Business Parks]
• [http://www.clydewaterfront.com Clyde Waterfront]

{{Intu Properties}}

{{Renfrewshire}}

{{Scottish Energy}}

Category:Shopping centres in Scotland

Category:Buildings and structures in Renfrewshire

Category:Shopping malls established in 1999

Category:1999 establishments in Scotland

Category:Tourist attractions in Renfrewshire

Category:Buildings and structures in Glasgow

Category:Indoor ski resorts

Category:Ski areas and resorts in Scotland

Category:Greater Glasgow

Category:Renfrew