There may be gloomy forecasts for businesses as the cost-of-living crisis eats into household budgets, but one shopping centre is pulling out the stops to give customers 'what they want'.

Retail, one of the staples of the Glasgow economy supporting thousands of jobs, faces a difficult winter.

The Glasgow Times in our Spotlight series has been investigating how the economic crisis has affected business sectors in the city.

Traders are faced with rising costs of energy and staff, and customers keeping an even closer eye on their spending.

Many customers have decided to stick with online shopping after being forced out of shops during the pandemic.

But the boss of one of the city’s shopping malls is determined to meet the challenges and continue to provide a service for customers and jobs for people.

Glasgow Times:

David Pierotti, general manager of Silverburn, has helped develop the centre from its opening.

He said the experience in shopping centres has had to change to give people more than shops.

The manager said shops need to make Christmas more affordable.

He said: “Customers are making retailers work harder, looking for value even more just now.

“The Scottish and the Glasgow customers are savvy, and always have been. Good retailers understand that.

“As soon as you disrespect customers you are on a highway to hell."

Getting more people back out is a priority which will benefit customers and retailers.

Mr Pierotti added: “During Covid people tended to shop locally and online.

“We are trying to introduce more entertainment and leisure. It’s covered and safe.

“Real-life shopping makes you socialise. It is an experience.

“There is nothing nicer than walking the mall and having that Christmas spirit.

“You don’t get that same experience online. There are mental health benefits."

On the cost-of-living crisis, he said: “It’s massive. We need to be realistic about it."

On the wider retail failures, he takes a pragmatic view and tries to focus on what can be influenced.

He said: “If a company goes bust it is irrelevant how well it did in specific locations. If someone is trading well here but poor nationally, it will still close.”

Bringing in new names is a huge part of managing a centre like Silverburn.

Mr Pierotti added: “There has been some retail failure but it is about how you recover. We’ve got a new owner, Eurofund, a British and Spanish company.”

He mentioned some of the brands brought in, like the soon to reopen White Company.

He added: “We are opening Sunglasses Hut soon and others are in the pipeline. It is about recovery, respecting the local community and tapping into the local talent and giving people opportunities.”

With the Christmas season approaching many businesses will be hoping for a boost amid difficult times.

There is an expectation that there will be less cash to be spread around this year.

The Silverburn boss is remaining optimistic while realistic.

He said: “This is my 40th Christmas in retail. Glaswegians never let me down. They always shop at Christmas. To what extent depends on their own budget.

“There are economic factors that influence that. I’m always positive about Christmas.

“People will smooth Christmas over three or four payrolls.

“Luxury retail is still doing well, like jewellery and watches. Maybe people are buying less but buying better.”

He noted gift card sales have increased, like the centre’s Silverburn card.

While stores close Mr Pierotti said the centre, which opened in 2007, will be part of the future of not just retail but leisure in Glasgow for years to come.

The centre was attracting 14 million customers a year before Covid and he said they will get back to those levels.

He said: “We’ve got a robust pipeline of new retailers coming in the New Year. A business like Silverburn needs to look at the full offer for customers.

 “We are not going anywhere. The retail line-up may change.

“We are not naive to the economic challenges. It is difficult but retailers and restaurateurs are working hard to be innovative to keep it affordable.”