First look inside HarperCollins' giant multi-million Scottish distribution centre in Glasgow

HarperCollins has officially opened its huge multi-million Scottish distribution centre in Glasgow.

The publisher, founded as Collins & Co in Glasgow 206 years ago, will officially launch the premises on Thursday.

The 550,000 sqft distribution centre and offices in Robroyston will employ 400 people and handle 110 million books a year.

During its busiest periods, the centre will distribute up to three million books a week.

To celebrate the opening, which lands on World Book Day, the publisher will call on the government to help tackle the “crisis in children’s reading”.

Jeffrey Archer, Jung Chang, Sarah Ferguson, Nigel Slater, Adele Parks, Kimberley Chambers, Jamila Gavin, Pete Irvine and Alastair Chisholm, will be among the authors present to hear the company’s UK CEO Charlie Redmayne and global CEO Brian Murray discuss their investment.

Mr Redmayne will join the cabinet secretary for culture Angus Robertson, Scotland office minister Kirsty McNeill and Glasgow lord provost Jacqueline McLaren to unveil the new facility at the celebration event.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Redmayne spoke about the recent studies that found fewer than 25% of children read for pleasure frequently.

“We’ll continue to grow – as long as people want great books. But that isn’t guaranteed,” he said.

“We’re currently seeing a real crisis in children’s reading – recent studies reveal that fewer than 25% of children read for pleasure frequently, and perhaps most worryingly that only 40% of pre-schoolers are read to frequently.”

He added: “This is a problem for publishers – children who don’t grow up loving reading become adults who don’t love reading – but also for the country.

“Children who read do better in life, it’s as simple as that. They are not just our future customers, they are the country’s future.”

“So, to our guests from government, I ask: let’s support them – let’s have story time in schools, let’s have libraries in primaries, let’s get this generation reading more than the last, and build on that. We can’t afford not to.”

UK Government Scotland office minister Kirsty McNeill congratulated HarperCollins and the broader publishing industry for its “significant contribution” to the UK economy.

“Scotland has a rich, world famous literary tradition and it was a pleasure to attend the unveiling of this truly impressive facility on what fittingly was World Book Day,” she said.

“Accustomed readers and future generations alike will be educated, entertained and inspired by the 110 million books that will leave this site every year.”

McNeill added: “The development of strong reading skills very much dovetails with the UK Government’s pledge to deliver a decade of national renewal and opportunity for all through our Plan for Change.

“Literacy is a crucial tool in breaking cycles of poverty and by working together we can ensure no community is left behind in Scotland’s future success.

“I congratulate HarperCollins and the broader publishing industry for its significant contribution to the UK economy and for its ambition and commitment to equipping pupils with literacy skills that will serve them and the country throughout their lives and careers.”