'Significant challenges' for Glasgow as footfall drops by 400,000

[egpffqtv]

The airport will have played its part in this decline in visitor numbers too - something the article fails to take into account.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ngw4e1xv8o

Glasgow city centre needs "fresh life" a business body has warned, as a new report showed a decline of more than 400,000 visitors compared with last year.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said revitalising the city should be a "top economic priority."
There were 410,000 fewer visitors in May compared with the same month last year, while in April there was a sales decrease of 12.3%, the equivalent of £60m.

A spokesman for the city council said Glasgow faced "significant challenges" but the council was working to create a "more attractive environment" for businesses and shoppers.

City centres across the country have been affected by a number of factors, including the cost of living crisis and the continued popularity of online shopping.

However, feedback from businesses in the new report cited additional problems with "cleansing, maintenance & hygiene" throughout Glasgow.

The city has been blighted by a number of shop and restaurant closures in recent years, including the HMV megastore on Buchanan Street, Marks & Spencer on Sauchiehall Street and Debenhams on Argyle Street.

The two fires that devastated Glasgow School of Art and destroyed the O2 ABC venue have also affected surrounding businesses, leaving a number of empty properties around the city centre.

Richard Muir, deputy chief executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said: "The recovery of Glasgow City Centre should remain a top economic priority for all levels of our governments.

"The Golden Z report launched last August explained much of what needs to be done to breathe fresh life into the most impacted streets. It is now time that we enact this report."
Mr Muir called for a "new city deal" involving tax incentives and funding to help the retail sector.

In August 2023 councillors voted for the so-called "Golden Z" plan to increase the population living on Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street through 1,350 new or converted flats.

Failure to recover

Figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium in recent months have broadly matched the Chamber of Commerce's assessment.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, the organisation's deputy head, said Glasgow's status as a premier shopping destination "risks becoming a memory."

He added: "These figures, which correlate with the SRC's own footfall data, demonstrate Glasgow's grasp on the title of Scotland's shopping capital is weakening.

"Footfall has failed to recover since the pandemic as shoppers cut back their discretionary spending and shift shopping trips to out-of-town or online retailers."

Mr MacDonald-Russell said there should be a reduction in non-domestic rates and better public transport to help businesses attract more visitors.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said the city was still "the most significant economic area in Scotland".

He added: “We are working very closely with our public and private sectors partners in the City Centre Task Force to ensure the city centre stays resilient and adapts to the changes it faces.

“There is a huge amount of public and private sector development and investment currently taking place in Glasgow, and this will deliver a more attractive environment for visitors, businesses, workers and a growing residential population.”

[atuk]

I read this report in yesterday’s newspaper. It’s both hugely concerning and disappointing. I owe my main career to the City of Glasgow working in two major companies; The Clydesdale Bank plc, now Virgin Money about to become Nationwide; the other Scottish Mutual Assurance Society which was acquired by Abbey National plc which became part of Santander plc. My wife worked all her main career in Glasgow City Council.

I loved showing off “my city “ to English visitors from other financial companies, moreso when they said “I love Scotland and they had only ever visited Edinburgh.

It’s not just sad to see the city decline it impacts everything and must have an adverse impact on the airport, inward investment and tourism in general. My last lunch in time with former workmates who are close friends was back in Sarti’s at our old table bringing back many good memories. Bill, Glasgow born and bred, said he and his wife now prefer a day in Edinburgh rather than a day in town!

Let Glasgow Flourish seems to have become Let Glasgow Perish!

[pushingtinonceagain]

Glasgow city centre is absolutely vile. Overflowing bins, litter, gum, graffiti, piss, derelict buildings, boarded up windows, tat shops, charity shops, scaffolding, weeds, grime, absolute bampots….

No shops open late, atrocious parking options that are all extortionate, shite public transport options (if the new subway is autonomous there is no good excuse for it not to run 24/7). It’s utter crap and it makes me so angry and sad.

I don’t know who to blame, the Scottish Gov, GCC, the people? All I suspect.

I spoke to Ronald about 9 months ago about airlines amongst other things but he raised an extremely salient point to the effect of, Glasgow is a shit hole, why would anyone want to visit?

Sadly every single time I am in the city centre I can’t help but agree with that sentiment.

I’ve been spoiled by Dubai & Abu Dhabi granted, but it’s embarrassing how awful Glasgow looks. I’d love to walk around with the leaders of GCC and ask are they proud of how the city looks? They’d be damn liars if they said yes.

[Clive]

Glasgow city centre is absolutely vile. Overflowing bins, litter, gum, graffiti, piss, derelict buildings, boarded up windows, tat shops, charity shops, scaffolding, weeds, grime, absolute bampots….

No shops open late, atrocious parking options that are all extortionate, shite public transport options (if the new subway is autonomous there is no good excuse for it not to run 24/7). It’s utter crap and it makes me so angry and sad.

I don’t know who to blame, the Scottish Gov, GCC, the people? All I suspect.

I spoke to Ronald about 9 months ago about airlines amongst other things but he raised an extremely salient point to the effect of, Glasgow is a shit hole, why would anyone want to visit?

Sadly every single time I am in the city centre I can’t help but agree with that sentiment.

I’ve been spoiled by Dubai & Abu Dhabi granted, but it’s embarrassing how awful Glasgow looks. I’d love to walk around with the leaders of GCC and ask are they proud of how the city looks? They’d be damn liars if they said yes.

Glasgow City Council are responsible for this. They’ll say they don’t have enough money. That’s true everywhere. The Scottish Government don’t have enough money to grant councils more because we have no borrowing powers like normal countries do and we are given a portion of our revenues back by our masters for housekeeping which is never going to be enough.

True about the locals though. I don’t think half of them have got any education whatsoever. I was in town for a gig the day the Celtic fans were having a huge party at Trongate. Argyle St was like something from the apocalypse. Grim for any visitors who had the misfortune to be in town that evening.

PS don’t really fancy Dubai either but for different reasons.

[egpffqtv]

Glasgow city centre is absolutely vile. Overflowing bins, litter, gum, graffiti, piss, derelict buildings, boarded up windows, tat shops, charity shops, scaffolding, weeds, grime, absolute bampots….

No shops open late, atrocious parking options that are all extortionate, shite public transport options (if the new subway is autonomous there is no good excuse for it not to run 24/7). It’s utter crap and it makes me so angry and sad.

I don’t know who to blame, the Scottish Gov, GCC, the people? All I suspect.

I spoke to Ronald about 9 months ago about airlines amongst other things but he raised an extremely salient point to the effect of, Glasgow is a shit hole, why would anyone want to visit?

Sadly every single time I am in the city centre I can’t help but agree with that sentiment.

I’ve been spoiled by Dubai & Abu Dhabi granted, but it’s embarrassing how awful Glasgow looks. I’d love to walk around with the leaders of GCC and ask are they proud of how the city looks? They’d be damn liars if they said yes.

Bingo!

Glasgow is an absolute toilet and there’s no doubt that this has an impact on potential air service to GLA.

Without meaning to politicise this thread, but I’m afraid it is absolutely necessary to do so, the walloper who is in charge at GCC leaves a lot to be desired.

One of the latest posts from her Twitter:

https://x.com/susaninlangside/status/18 ... 97154?s=61

The #LGBTQ+ #Pride pixies have been out with their paintbrushes in the Merchant City (with much help from @artpistol) to create a fabulous new addition to Glasgow’s city centre mural trail in time to welcome everyone to @GlasgowsPride tomorrow

Basically promoting a huge Pride flag that’s been painted onto one of the streets in Glasgows’s Merchant City.

Is this what they think is the best way of spending money is?

Maybe she could get her feckin pixies to paint some kid on planes at GLA to make the place appear busier

Like you say, the place is an absolute bomb site and the leader of the council promotes this sort of stuff?

Do we think she and her councillors work with the airport and or local chambers of commerce to increase air service together?

Is Ronald/AGS working with local councils/chambers of commerce? I’d like to hope so.

I was just also thinking to myself after reading your reply that it’s all gone quiet about Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026, but I see this BBC News article from earlier today saying we should find out about this in a few weeks time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cv2gzdr4076o

Scotland will find out in "two to three weeks time" whether it will stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to the man involved in bidding to bring the event back to Glasgow.

Organisers are looking for a new host after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out last summer blaming rising costs.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Ian Reid admitted "there's no immediate news" despite originally expecting a decision earlier this year.

But he has reiterated his belief that Glasgow would be well-suited to staging a scaled-back event having hosted a full event in 2014.

"We are continuing to work away on it - I think there is an opportunity," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"I am not part of the decision making process - I am on the other side of the table. But, at the same time, I am really positive that we've got a really interesting proposition and something few others could deliver given the venues, the people and experience we've got."
Reid was speaking on the 10th anniversary of Glasgow hosting the Games - and on the eve of the Paris Olympics.

"I've had the pleasure of working on a number of these, including Glasgow 10 years ago and it was great to see some of the reminiscing over the last couple of days," he added.

"It was a spectacular event for the city and it has been all positivity over the last week or so, people looking back."


If we are to host, GCC had better get their act together pronto.

IMHO Glasgow needs something like we had way back in 1990 - the European City of Culture. That’s the last time I remember Glasgow being given a right good facelift.

Maybe something like this would be the shot in the arm that the city so very badly needs.

[Aerecosse]

I'm coming 'home' tomorrow night for the weekend..... and yes the city centre has had a tough time but I wouldn't say it's as bad as being made out..... visit Dublin and you just have to take a walk to 'the Spire' on the countries main street and you see people dealing openly during the day... out of their face on crac.... not having any craic.... yes Dubai & Abu Dhabi are lovely to visit but as has been mentioned elsewhere.... what's visible can sometimes hide what's not.... again one of Irelands main criminals was openly living in Dubai until the US put a bounty on them..... 'oh we better look at them' was the Dubai government response..... the Russians are buying up loads... signs in hotels and shopping malls now in English, Arabic, Russian & Chinese.... back on home turf.... we still have loads in the city to be proud of, Architecture, nightlife, entertainment, the people.... yes they're not all bad.... and at least in Glasgow you can actually speak to a local person, the amount of times I've tried in Edinburgh... 'sorry I don't live here'.....

[Darren10]

I see that Glasgow is now basically confirmed as the 2026 games host. This is surely an ideal opportunity to freshen the place up a bit. I agree that the city centre is looking a bit worse for wear these days. I was In the dental hospital last week and I was shocked at the state of sauchiehall street. Empty shops everywhere and a total shadow of what it used to be. Yes they are spending some money on the road and walkways but it counts for nothing if the place is like a ghost town. GCC need a good kick up the a**e.

[GKirk]

Up there a few weeks ago. The state of the streets was manky. Rubbish all over the place, beggars everywhere (not just a Glasgow thing this one - as soon as you step out of Edinburgh Waverley the beggars are there), closed shops galore. A shame the place has become a rundown eyesore

[hads]

Yup. And I live here. Clear for any resident to see.
However. Can anyone for the life of the Almighty tell me why there are so many roadworks, closures, diversions, temp. traffic lights?
Its an absolute disaster trying to move around the city. Its everywhere. And before anyone says " improvements" , does anyone think it will be transformational?
#nawitisnae

[Clive]

Kirky should visit the west end next time.

As with most big cities the vicinity of the main railway station can be a bit gritty and all major cities are magnets for people with problems. Sadly you get that the world over The phenomenon of empty shops in shopping streets is omnipresent everywhere.