A range of traders are set to take on leases at a recently refurbished shopping parade in Johnstone after the move was rubber-stamped by elected members.

Four units in Houstoun Court are expected to be brought back into use in the form of an office, baby clothing and haberdashery shop, art gallery with workshop and retail space and barbershop.

Meanwhile, a property in nearby MacDowall Street is set to be used for the repair and hire of E-bikes and E-scooters and a unit in Floors Street for storage.

The leases were approved at the recent infrastructure, land and environment policy board.

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Councillor Chris Gilmour, Labour group environment spokesperson and representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, congratulated the traders.

He told last week’s meeting: “You are probably aware that there have been no properties let in Johnstone in the last 12-month period, April to April, so this has been good news indeed.

“Not only for the fact it will bring footfall into the town centre and enhance other businesses but it means the empty units are full and it reduces the vandalism and also brings a sum of money into the council.

“That must be good news under the present financial circumstances. It’s just a thank you to the officers. I know they’ve been under the cosh, through staffing issues and things like that, to get premises turned around so I welcome that.”

Councillor Michelle Campbell, board convener and SNP representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, said the progress was “really wonderful to see”.

She added: “If people are going through Johnstone and they see spaces that are open and vibrant and that there is engagement, it creates that atmosphere, that culture and that belonging that everyone looks for that is really important to our towns and villages alike.

“It’s really positive to see, I really commend the work that’s been done on this.”