A SHOPPING centre has gone into administration - just weeks before Christmas.

Sapphire, the owner of EK, East Kilbride, has become insolvent, it has been announced.

A statement on the shopping centre's website read: "Alistair McAlinden and Blair Nimmo were appointed as joint administrators of Sapphire on November 16, 2022.

"The companies continue to trade as East Kilbride Shopping Centre and Reith Lambert continues to act as managing agents.

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"The joint administrators act without personal liability."

The centre is described as "the largest undercover shopping and leisure destination in Scotland". 

It hosts more than 150 brands, as well as an ice rink, and an Odeon cinema

The centre will remain open as day-to-day operations will be unaffected by the administration process.