Shock as major Bishopbriggs employer HarperCollins to pull out of town

The publisher employs almost 500 people.

It has revealed that it will close its premises at Westerhill by 2025 and move to a site just within the Glasgow boundary, after apparently being unable to secure a deal with its current landlords.

Councillor Gary Pews (Lib Dem, Bishopbriggs North and Campsie) says its another blow for the area.

Councillor Pews added: “This is more devastating news for Bishopbriggs and for the wider East Dunbartonshire economy, coming soon after Aviva announced they are also to move out of Westerhill in the summer.

“The name HarperCollins, and just Collins for years before then, has been synonymous with Bishopbriggs for decades. They have been good for the town, but the town has also been good for them, and it is a bitter blow that they intend to move out.

“The timing is also very unfortunate as the council has secured in excess of £30M of City Deal funding for the regeneration of the Westerhill area.

“I know that our council officers are in discussion with HarperCollins and I would urge the firm to reconsider its decision.”

A spokesperson for HarperCollins said the firm would be moving to a new purpose built site at Robroyston and added: ‘HarperCollins has a 200-year association with Scotland and while we will be sorry to leave Bishopbriggs, we will be moving to a new purpose-built site less than three miles away and are therefore confident that our positive impact on the local economy will be sustained and grown for many years to come. We remain at the early stages of planning a move that will not happen until 2025 and will engage with our employees and other stakeholders as our detailed plans begin to take shape.’