New Starbucks drive-thru part of 105-job expansion

A Starbucks franchise business has brought more than 100 jobs to Scotland thanks to support from HSBC UK.

Glasgow-based OCO Westend opened a new drive-thru and cafe in the city’s Polmadie last month, creating 20 jobs for the area.

The new site follows openings in Inverness, Rutherglen, Paisley and Hillington since August 2020, generating a total of 105 jobs.

The support secured from HSBC UK has helped with the firm’s expansion by covering the construction and fit-out costs for the new stores.

OCO Westend also plans to open two further stores later this year, with more planned for 2022 and beyond.

The Starbucks in Polmadie forms part of an exciting new services destination for the area at the M74 junction, which includes storage and business units, a petrol station, and a new electric vehicle supercharging station from European motoring venture, Ionity.

JJ O’Hara, OCO Westend managing director, said:“We’re thrilled to be able to open our new Polmadie drive-thru location, hot on the heels of our new stores in Inverness and Rutherglen.

“HSBC UK has supported us for the past eight years since we opened our first store on Dumfries High Street in 2013.

“Since then, the bank’s franchise expertise and guidance has enabled us to build a sustainable and successful business across Scotland.”

Kevin McKenna, relationship manager for HSBC UK in Scotland, added: “OCO Westend has continued to steadily add to its impressive portfolio in recent years and we’re thrilled to support its expansion.

“With the on-the-go cafe market continuing to flourish, OCO Westend has spotted a gap in the market across Scotland and moved quickly to fill it.”

Recent growth means OCO Westend now employs 273 people across 13 stores in Scotland.

The funding was allocated from HSBC UK’s national £15bn SME Fund, part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate and grow as the country looks to rebound from the Covid-19 health crisis.