The project, which will create Greenlaw Business Centre in Newton Mearns, will enable the council to increase its support for small businesses.

Funded by Glasgow City Region City Deal, the facility is being built adjacent to the existing Greenlaw retail and commercial centre.

Expected to be completed by early next year, the facility will provide modern office accommodation in up to 38 small suites over two storeys.

Council leader Tony Buchanan said: “Greenlaw Business Centre will help to meet a growing demand for flexible business space in the area, supporting start-ups and existing small businesses to grow and create new jobs.

“This forms part of a range of ambitious projects for East Renfrewshire made possible thanks to our £44m Glasgow City Region City Deal investment.

“I’m pleased to see the contractor Morrison Construction embracing the ethos of delivering additional benefits through City Deal contracts by creating four new construction jobs, skills development activities and support for community projects.”

The council will work in partnership with Morrison Construction and Clyde College to support two fully funded construction pre-apprenticeship courses, starting in August 2018.

Allan Cunningham, Morrison Construction’s operations director, said: “It is exciting to reach the key milestone of construction and we are already making significant progress on site.

“At Morrison Construction we are committed to providing community benefits through the projects we undertake. During construction we will continue to engage with stakeholders from the community, creating opportunities in education and employment, and ensuring the positive local impact of this development into the future.”

As part of the £44m Glasgow City Region City Deal investment in East Renfrewshire, plans are underway to improve the road network between Barrhead, Newton Mearns and the M77, create a new train station in Barrhead and transform Dams to Darnley Country Park into a must-visit leisure destination.