East Kilbride Shopping Centre has been sold out of administration to property investment, management and development company MCore, securing the future for Scotland’s largest indoor retail and leisure centre.
Alistair McAlinden and James Dewar of Interpath were appointed as joint administrators to previous owners Sapphire 16 SARL in November 2022. The centre site includes 150 shops, restaurants, offices, cinema, hotel, pub, night club, children’s nursery, library, ice-rink, bingo hall and gym.
The administrators’ appointment also included Centre West, which was a distinct part of the Centre and is marked for demolition.
Following their appointment, the joint administrators continued to operate the Centre and engaged Scoop Asset Management, together with a design team of architects and surveyors, to create a development masterplan that set out the strategic future for the Centre.
As part of this plan, Centre West was transferred in December 2025 to South Lanarkshire Council, which will oversee the redevelopment of that part of the site.
The East Kilbride Centre has been sold to MCore, the existing owners of Princes Square in Glasgow and The Centre in Livingston. MCore say they will now implement plans for the long-term evolution of the Centre.
Alistair McAlinden, managing director at Interpath in Scotland and joint administrator of Sapphire 16 Sarl, said: “East Kilbride Centre operates as the heart of the local community and so it is with great pleasure that we announce its sale to MCore which will unlock long-term investment for the site and the implementation of the next steps in the development plan. The transaction also demonstrates that there remains a strong market for retail real estate assets, where fundamental demand is sound, and redevelopment opportunities exist. We wish the MCore team all the best.”
Mark Hewett, Director at Scoop Asset Management said: “It has been a pleasure to work with all stakeholders at the Centre to lead the creation and implementation of the redevelopment masterplan. It will be good to see MCore progress this and wish them every success as they move forward with the project.”
Sebastian Macdonald-Hall, Chief Investment Officer (Europe) for MCore said: “The acquisition of EK, East Kilbride, represents a defining milestone in our ongoing expansion across the Scottish retail landscape, marking our third premier shopping centre investment here in three years.
“We are very excited to build on the existing foundations to enhance the shopping centre over time by creating a more cohesive retail and leisure experience, bringing genuine long-term success and vitality to the local area.”
Reith Lambert provided property management services to the joint administrators, while Savills was engaged to provide letting and agency advice.
