GLASGOW was chosen as a base by banking giant Barclays due to its talent pool, “positivity” and “work ethic”.

The bank is currently developing its new campus at Buchanan Wharf which will create around 2500 jobs, with the first building set to be “fully operational” by the end of next year.

And project consultant John Livesey listed some of the reasons why the city was picked as the new home of Barclays’ technology and operations team while giving an update to the council’s South Sector Community Partnership.

He said around 1200 will use the first building to open on the third of three global campuses created by the company, following developments in New Jersey, USA, and Pune, India.

The other two buildings on the campus are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021. The scheme will also bring the listed Kingston House and Beco building back into use.

“It’s not a coincidence Glasgow was chosen,” Mr Livesey said. “There’s a natural talent pool that comes out of Glasgow.”

READ MORE: Barclays plans 2,500 new jobs in Glasgow

He said he hoped the “vast majority” of jobs would come from the local community. Technology apprenticeships will be available to 45 students and 20 operations apprenticeships will be ­advertised.

The “focus is very much on Glasgow”, he said, revealing only 12 apprenticeships will be ­offered in London. When the plan was announced, the bank said at least 341 of the jobs would go to disadvantaged workers or those who have a disability.

Mr Livesey said they have been working with Scottish Autism as well as blind and deaf societies and want to make the campus “accessible” to everyone.

A creche is also being built on the site, which is currently planned for the children of Barclays workers but could be opened to the public if there is space, and an “independent” restaurant is lined up.

“It’s not just a work block for Barclays staff. It is a campus that encourages local people to visit the space,” Mr Livesey added. Clyde Place has been closed to traffic to allow pedestrians ­access to the river front.

Space has been identified within the campus for ‘The Street’, a “rent-free” area where social ­enterprises, charities or community groups can sell “their wares” to workers.

Mr Livesey said there have been talks with transport providers, such as Scotrail and FirstBus, about how to get 5000 people to the campus. “We’re acutely aware of Glasgow City Council’s green travel plan,” he said.

Hundreds of bike sheds will be provided and a bike shop, with a repair service, will be on site. The project consultant also said he expected Bridge Street Subway station to be used “massively” and agreed to work with surrounding communities to address concerns about extra cars on the road.

He added Barclays had asked for a multi-storey car park during the planning process and were “quite rightly” told no.