EXCLUSIVE: Byres Road Traders Warn Parking Cuts Threaten Local Businesses
West end shopkeepers fear significant loss of long-term parking spaces, with no clear plan for replacements.
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EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Byres Road traders have raised alarm over the potential loss of over 100 long-term parking spaces, warning it could deal a serious blow to local businesses already struggling with accessibility and rising costs.
John Turner, Chairman of Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District (BID) and liaison officer for the City Deal Project, pictured above, says parking remains one of the most pressing concerns for traders in Glasgow’s West End.
Speaking to The Splash, Mr Turner, a former property lawyer, said: “It is a worry that we are going to lose 100-odd spaces.
“My main concern is that it’s not just spaces being lost — it's the only long-term parking in the area. In theory, off-road parking is limited to just three hours.”
The car park in question sits on land in Lillybank Gardens owned by the University of Glasgow.
While development plans have yet to be formally submitted, businesses are already voicing concern that there is no concrete strategy to replace the parking provision.
“We can’t simply object because we are losing a car park. But if the car park is going, there needs to be a clear plan for alternative parking — that’s the line I’m pushing with the council,” Mr Turner said who owns Janet & John arts and crafts at De Courcy’s Arcade in Cresswell Lane.
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Last month, The Splash reported that a group of residents in Glasgow’s West End have launched a petition urging the council to reconsider parking changes they say could devastate local businesses.
The petition, titled West End or Dead End?, has been created by Mel Feild, a property owner on Great George Street.
She is a member of the Kersland Street Neighbours Association and Hillhead Community Council, and Neighbourhood Improvement Volunteer (NIV) for Glasgow City Council.
The petition raises concerns about the impact of a proposed 260-bed student accommodation development by the University of Glasgow on the Lilybank Gardens car park site, near Great George Street and behind Ashton Lane and Byres Road.
The University of Glasgow’s proposal has faced opposition from the Hillhead Community Council, who claim the project is out of character with the surrounding area and will worsen parking shortages.
The site – which falls within the Glasgow West Conservation Area – is currently owned by the University and managed by Glasgow City Council under a lease agreement. If approved, only 20 days' notice would be required to close the car park permanently.
Ms Feild said: “We now have a petition submitted to GCC backed by residents, businesses and the local Community Council to raise the profile around the impact of a lack of parking strategy including removing the only long term car park in the area.
“Planning applications require individual planning objections to knock them back.
“We don’t need a referendum; we need individuals to write objections so Glasgow City Council Planning listens.”
Parking Spaces Slashed
Byres Road is currently undergoing major redevelopment under the City Deal Project, with changes that include a one-way system and enhanced cycle infrastructure. However, Mr Turner says these improvements have come at a cost.
“In the north section alone, we counted 49 spaces — that’s being reduced to just nine plus loading bays. Add that to the changes made to resident-only parking last year, and it’s clear we’re losing a significant amount of space.”
According to Mr Turner, the number of available spaces has already dropped from around 700 to closer to 600. “That’s a strong basis for objection. If your original plan was calculated on 700 spaces and you’re cutting that, then it undermines the whole model,” he argued. “So we could object to it on those grounds.”
Proposals for Alternative Parking
The BID has repeatedly proposed a multi-storey car park to replace lost spaces. Mr Turner said suggestions have included a facility at Kelvinbridge Park and Ride or above the Waitrose site in Byres Road, incorporating mixed-use developments with retail, residential and public parking, and on Lillybank Gardens.
“So far, the response has been there’s no funding or interest,” he said. “But we need joined-up thinking from the council, the university, and SPT. Without it, we’re just going to lose footfall.”
Impact on Local Business
Parking charges increased in April, with rates rising by 20p per 15 minutes.
Business permits have shot up from £850 per year to around £1,050 — and must be paid upfront.
“I can’t afford that. I get the No.15 bus when I can, but sometimes I need the car for events,” Mr Turner said. “We’ve had businesses close where customers, particularly older ones, simply couldn’t afford to come anymore.”
He pointed to a local ladies’ boutique that shut its doors in 2023, with the owner citing rising parking costs as one of the factors.
“The council is supposed to be supporting local business, but it feels like they’re using parking as a cash cow. It’s counterproductive.
“People aren’t coming because it’s too expensive to park — and businesses are seeing a 20 to 30 percent drop in takings.
“They shouldn’t be putting up the charges until they have sorted out the public transport.
“I am all for the shift to public transport, but where is the public transport at the weekend for people to take part in all the fantastic things Byres Road has to offer.”
High Street Success — but Fragile
Despite these concerns, Byres Road remains a bright spot on the high street, with over 95% occupancy and a strong mix of independent retailers.
Mr Turner says this success must not be taken for granted.
“If you want a blueprint for a modern high street, it’s Byres Road. But it’s hard going for small independents — and we can’t ignore the risks. We’re absolutely determined not to let Byres Road turn into Sauchiehall Street.”
He added that proposed changes to Sunday parking enforcement — running from 7am to 10pm — were dropped when they sparked community backlash, including from local churches, with some suggesting it’s tantamount to “a tax on going to church”.
Mr Turner insisted: “They’re simply not listening to our concerns about parking. No one seems to realise the impact this will have on local businesses.
“There are restrictions from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, on this end of Byres Road, as well as on Queen Margaret Drive and Kelvinbridge.
“We want it to revert back to the previous hours—8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.”
Looking Ahead
With the final phases of the City Deal still in progress, Mr Turner says he remains hopeful that solutions can be found — but stresses that urgent action is needed.
“All of these things are linked: parking, public transport, cycling. We’re supporting new infrastructure, but people need viable alternatives before you take things away. The council needs to listen — or it will be local businesses who pay the price.
“Once the City Deal Project is finished, I am hoping it will be really good and we can have a good celebration.”
The BID is continuing to lobby for changes and plans to gather objections from local businesses once the university submits a formal planning application.
Glasgow City Council says new parking permit measures are part of a plan to save £107 million over three years, agreed in February 2024.
The permits offer cheaper daily parking in high-demand areas and are available in three-month blocks for businesses. The changes support the city’s transport strategy, aiming to encourage more sustainable travel.
The council spokesperson added: “We are aware of the Lilybank Gardens proposal but a formal planning application has still to be submitted.
“The planning application process allows for the consideration of a range of issues, including the potential impact from a loss of local amenities.
“We are currently mid-way through the Byres Road City Deal infrastructure project, which will eventually see around £11m invested in enhanced and improved public spaces along Byres Road.
“The project is intended to support a vibrant local economy for Byres Road by improving the public realm and encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling as forms of local transport.
“Our parking attendants are routinely active in the Hillhead ward to tackle problem parking in the area.
“In January this year, 1724 penalty charges notices were issued against vehicles illegally parked in the Hillhead ward, including many in relation to Oakfield Avenue.”
Whether Byres Road thrives or stalls may come down to whether policymakers are willing to park the politics — and listen.
On our series putting Byres Road in the spotlight, on Sunday, The Splash reported that Asif Akhter, the manager of Print Cartridge on Byres Road, says the business has suffered a steady decline since the introduction of a new cycle lane outside the shop.
After 25 years in the area, the store will relocate to Shawlands next month.
Mr Akhter blames the cycle lane and reduced parking—from 20 spaces to just two near the junction with Dumbarton Road—for a sharp drop in foot traffic and sales, which have fallen from £600 a day to as low as £200.
He says the area is in decline, with several neighbouring businesses already shut down.
And John Turner, Chairman of Byres Road and Lanes BID, expressed mixed views on the City Deal Project. While he’s not a fan of the bike lanes and feels the cycling lobby has too much influence, he concedes the area looks better overall.
Mr Turner sees the project as a trade-off, accepting the lanes in exchange for much-needed pavement improvements. He pushed back against claims that Byres Road is in decline, highlighting a recent revival in the area, with new businesses opening and increased activity following University of Glasgow developments.
A new Pelican Crossing near Dalcross Street is also set to improve access for students and boost local footfall.
The City Council has defended the redevelopment, stating it aims to “rebalance” road use in favour of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport while improving air quality and safety.
Yesterday (Monday), A long-established Glasgow café owner has launched a scathing attack on recent changes to Byres Road, accusing planners of ignoring the needs of local businesses and residents.
Americo Verrecchia, pictured above left, whose family has run the University Café for four generations since it first opened in 1918, says recent redesigns of the popular West End thoroughfare have done more harm than good.
“They’ve never worked, stayed or lived here,” he said, referring to those behind the project. “They draw little pictures and think it looks pretty.
“If they’d just gone out and asked the shopkeepers and the people who work here every day, we could have told" them what’s needed.
And he concluded: “The solution is put it back the area back to the the way it was.”