McGill’s Group has announced plans for a new £25 million depot in central Glasgow as part of future expansion ambitions.
The independent operator has this week bought a 6.55-acre brownfield site in the Tradeston area and says the investment could deliver as many as 850 jobs.
McGill’s adds that operations at its existing sites will not be affected when the new site is operational – expected by the end of 2026.
The expansion will partly support a planned tripling of its coach fleet to around 300 vehicles as the business looks to boost its private hire interests, cement its relationship with FlixBus, and build up its new Loch Lomond Travel venture.
In addition, the site on Kilbirnie Street, 1.5 miles from the city centre, which will include electric charging infrastructure, is well located if plans for bus franchising in Strathclyde come to fruition, says McGill’s.
James Easdale, co-owner of McGill’s Group, says the land purchase is ahead of “further acquisitions and expansion opportunities in the pipeline”. He adds it represents “another major step forward in our mission to transform transport across Scotland”.
Ralph Roberts, Chairman of McGill’s Group, says of the new Glasgow depot: “This is a strategic purchase that fits squarely within McGill’s three-year plan.
“In little over five years, we have added operations in Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Livingston, Aberdeen, Inverness and now Glasgow.
“With a modern, low-carbon fleet and the backing of owners Sandy and James Easdale, McGill’s Group is in excellent health and firmly focused on revolutionising public transport in Scotland.”
Sandy Easdale adds: “This project is not only about our own growth – it’s about creating up to 850 jobs and driving further regeneration in this part of the city.
“Tradeston is the ideal location, offering superb motorway and public transport links, staff facilities already in place, and the space we need to support both our bus and our fast-growing coach fleets.
“And this is just the start – further strategic deals are already in the pipeline, both in company property and for the expansion of McGill’s operations.”
