New Look George Square: Big Changes Coming to Glasgow’s Iconic Space
Exciting Developments Ahead for Square and City-Centre Residents
EXCLUSIVE Report by Gary Fanning
City-centre residents have been given a detailed update on the ambitious plans to transform George Square with work to begin in a few months time.
The Avenues Project team, led by Principal Officer Kieran Buchanan, presented their proposals during a meeting with the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council on Tuesday night.
The meeting was held via Zoom as their October Annual General Meeting was cancelled at the last minute after a protest involving around 70 supporters and service users of Homeless Project Scotland (HPS).
The Avenues project aims to reimagine the historic square as a vibrant, accessible, and multi-functional public space, with completion expected for August 2026. The George Square revamp is part of a wider £115m Avenues project across the city centre.
The Plans at a Glance
1. Public Realm Improvements:
The centrepiece of the project involves revamping the square’s layout to create more functional and pedestrian-friendly spaces. The contract for these works, currently out to tender, is expected to start in April 2024.
2. Hoardings During Construction:
To maintain public safety and provide a glimpse of the future, temporary fencing will surround the Square. The hoardings will feature visual panels illustrating the planned designs and promoting local events like the Merchant City Festival.
3. Green Spaces:
Mature trees in George Square will be preserved and enhanced with the addition of rain gardens, combining aesthetic appeal with sustainable drainage.
4. Statue Conservation:
Statues in the Square will be carefully conserved, with many temporarily removed for off-site work before being repositioned along the square’s edges. Iconic landmarks, such as the two equestrian statues, will remain on-site for preservation.
A New Layout for Modern Needs
The redesign splits the square into distinct areas:
Ceremonial Space: Around the Cenotaph, seating will be added to enhance its role during Remembrance Day and similar events.
Event Space: A flexible area will host public gatherings and city events.
Cycle and Pedestrian Access: Improved walkways and new cycle lanes will connect George Square with surrounding streets, supporting active travel.
Lighting will also play a key role, with architectural designs complementing existing LED upgrades. A proposed water feature is under consideration, subject to budget constraints.
Challenges and Resident Feedback
During the meeting, one resident questioned the inclusion of certain statues, such as that of Prince Albert, given his minimal connection to Glasgow.
Mr Buchanan clarified that statue selection falls outside the remit of the current project, although an additional plinth might be added in future.
Meanwhile, plans for nearby Miller Street and John Street are on hold as the team seeks additional funding.
In August, the Splash reported that concerned residents and businesses were demanding a say in George Square's highly anticipated revamp, fearing a repeat of the delays and chaos that plagued the Sauchiehall Street project.
The George Square regeneration, will create a vibrant public space with increased greenery, improved pedestrian and cyclist pathways, and new seating and art installations.
At the time, Paul Stopper, General Manager of Flight Club in North Fredrick Street, pictured above, expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding the revamp.
He only learned of the plans after being contacted by The Splash.
Mr Stopper told The Splash: “I have no idea what the plans are, how long they’ll take, or if it’s going to look like a building site.
“This disruption could severely impact us if George Square is shut down."
Duncan Walker, General Manager of Alchemist in George Square, pictured above, expressed concerns about the upcoming revamp, noting that the firms plan to open a second location in the city might be put on hold if the works negatively impact business.
He told the Splash: "While I support Glasgow City Council's efforts to improve the city centre, these changes can’t come at the cost of local businesses.
“We’ve already seen the damage done by similar projects on Sauchiehall Street.
“My main worry is how this will affect our revenue over the next year. If customers can't access George Square, they’ll go elsewhere, and that’s lost business we can’t afford.
"Every time the Square is closed for events, protests, or marches, our business suffers. “The UCI World Championships in 2023, which was supposed to be a 'game changer,' ended up being one of our worst trading weeks since opening.
“We couldn’t get deliveries, had to pay extra for storage, and footfall plummeted. If the council can’t guarantee access and steady footfall, this project could be devastating for businesses in the area.”
Disruption Residents and businesses were frustrated at the delays to work in Sauchiehall Street and don’t want a repeat in George Square. Photo by Gary Fanning
The Merchant City and Trongate Community Council, representing a significant part of the city centre, aimed to prevent the delays and chaos that marred the Sauchiehall Street Avenue project last year.
They called for group members to attend ongoing meetings with the project’s contractors and Glasgow City Council to ensure the local community is heard.
And they wrote to their four wards councillors asking for representation.
One member at the time said: “My concern is that if the contractor starts in January, there will be periods of inactivity, followed by barricades, and an accumulation of rubbish. We could be stuck with the mess for months, which is unacceptable for what should be Glasgow’s centrepiece.”
City-centre MSP Kaukab Stewart backed the community council’s requests when she attended a meeting earlier this year and added: “I would be surprised if there wasn’t community engagement or representation.”
But community councillors and residents seem generally satisfied with the update this week’s update from Mr Buchanan.
Concerns stem from the £5.7 million Sauchiehall Street Avenues project, which faced several months of delays due to issues with underground utilities.
The construction work, marked by dug-up sections, fencing, and poor communication, left the area in disarray. Dozens of trees were also removed, sparking additional complaints. Originally scheduled for completion in the summer, the project is now expected to finish by the end of the year.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said at the time: “Details of the timetable for George Square renovations have been published and initial work to communicate with city centre partners on the plans for the square has been undertaken.
“We will be sharing more information on the work programme in the near future.
"It must be stressed however that routes through the square will remain open to traffic throughout the renovation project , which we hope will minimise the impact of the work."
What are the finalised plans?
Work on Glasgow’s George Square revamp begins in January, with major construction starting in April. The ambitious project, part of the £115 million Avenue initiative, is set to complete by April 2027, with George Square itself ready by August 2026.
Eleven bronze statues, including Queen Victoria and Robert Burns, will be removed for restoration between January and March. These statues will return to the Square by July 2027, accompanied by detailed historical context. The Sir Walter Scott monument and The Cenotaph will remain untouched, with a new green area planned in front of The Cenotaph.
Controversy surrounds the statues of military figures Colin Campbell and John Moore, due to their links to the slave trade. An anti-slavery working group will recommend whether these statues should return. Additionally, the council has a 12th plinth available for a new statue.
A decade-old survey found nine of the 13 statues in poor condition, prompting the restoration efforts. The project aims to transform George Square with high-quality stonework, a sensory garden, a water feature, a raised lawn platform, bespoke seating, feature lighting, and a western area for cafes and events.
John McAslan and Partners were awarded the design contract for George Square and surrounding streets.
The first phase of work, from 2025 to 2027, includes George Square, John Street, North Hanover Street, George Street, Cochrane Street, St Vincent Street, Hanover Street, and Miller Street. The second phase covers St Vincent Street from Buchanan Street to Newton Street, and George Street from Montrose Street to High Street.
The project, funded by the Glasgow City Region Deal with contributions from the Scottish and UK Governments, aims to promote active travel and create attractive spaces for residents, workers, visitors, and investors.
Final costs will be determined through the procurement process.
Further details on the schedule of the work can be found here.
Looking Ahead
The Avenues Project team is confident the overhaul will bring a fresh energy to George Square, blending Glasgow’s rich history with modern functionality.
Construction is set to begin in spring 2024, with the project promising a revitalised space that balances heritage, green infrastructure, and contemporary urban needs.
What are your thoughts on the transformation? Share your views to news@glasgowsplash.com
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