The Weekly Splash, Saturday March 29
You ultimate guide to everything happening in Glasgow
Welcome to The Weekly Splash – your ultimate guide to everything happening in Glasgow! Stay in the know with the latest top stories, insightful Local Democracy reports, Crimebeat and the best things to do over the weekend.
The name WH Smith, a staple of UK town centres since the Victorian era, is set to disappear from the High Street after the firm agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital. The new owner has said it will keep the Post Office outlets that operate in many branches, but will rebrand the High Street chain as TGJones. BBC Scotland News, Lucy Hooker, BBC Business reporter
Local Democracy Digest
The number of Rapes in Glasgow rose by a "shocking" 40 per cent while domestic abuse crimes against women increased by 41 per cent this year compared to last. A councillor has described the trend as "alarming" as she calls for a Glasgow Women's Safety Action Plan to be rolled out and an emergency summit held among other measures. Sarah Hilley
Councillor Rashid Hussain is raising concerns about young football players being at risk as he calls for reforms in how they are treated. Sarah Hilley
Council workers claimed nearly £1 million worth of travel expenses this financial year as an audit found some staff got petrol money back without receipts being submitted correctly. Sarah Hilley
The council lost out on thousands of pounds as a team failed to put through charge rises since 2022 for a "vast" number of permits on an online system. Sarah Hilley
An action plan for Parkhead is being drawn up to improve the area as hopes continue it may get its own train station. Sarah Hilley
Calton is set to receive £1.2 million to help reduce child poverty by trying to improve parents' job prospects. Sarah Hilley
Hundreds of homes can be built as part of the wider regeneration of Govan Graving Docks after the developers secured council approval. Drew Sandelands
A playground in Queens Park’s Balvicar Street is set to receive a funding boost of £88,000 for new attractions. Sarah Hilley
359 jobs are now up for grabs at Glasgow City Council as the local authority launches a huge hiring spree for positions in street cleansing, parking enforcement, roads, pest control and waste enforcement. Two recruitment sessions will be staged in the City Chambers’ Banqueting Hall on Tuesday, April 1 from 5pm to 8.30pm and again on Thursday, April 3 from 11am to 7pm. Sarah Hilley
School children with special needs are getting support to catch buses independently instead of taking taxis with a new scheme saving the council £67,000. Sarah Hilley
Care workers will weigh up strike action over a plan to cut a supported living service which elderly users and their families say they rely on. Drew Sandelands
Over £620,000 collected from Low Emission Zone fines in Glasgow is set to be split between 18 groups for “environment-enhancing” projects. Drew Sandelands
Meanwhile, The Scottish Daily Mail reports today that motorists have been fined a staggering £1.6 million for driving through Glasgow’s Low Emission Zones (LEZ) since their introduction in June 2023. The council has defended the fines, emphasising that the initiative is a vital public health measure designed to combat the air pollution that has plagued the city centre for decades.
Glasgow: The Other Stories Making Headlines
A 14-year-old boy has admitted killing a gang rival following a dispute over £50. The attacker stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, pictured above, in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park on 31 May last year. BBC Scotland News
An eight-week-old baby is in a critical condition after he was given ten times the recommended dose of paracetamol at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Ahad and Hira Ul Hassan said their son Zohan was healthy when he was born seven weeks early on 24 January. BBC Scotland News
A Glasgow father, his two sons, and his partner were killed in a devastating motorway crash caused by a former RAF pilot, Richard Woods, 40, who was nearly four times over the legal drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard. Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, from Glasgow, was driving his Toyota near Tebay services on the M6 in Cumbria on October 15 when his vehicle was struck head-on by a Skoda traveling the wrong way. Mr. Rossa, his sons Filip, 15, and Dominic, 7, along with his partner, Jade McEnroe, 33, all died at the scene. BBC Scotland News
Tributes have been paid to Christina McKelvie, the SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse, and Scottish Government Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, who died at the age of 57. Mum-of-two Ms McKelvie, born in Easterhouse and educated at St Leonard's Secondary School, was remembered for her dedication to public service and her work on social issues. Alasdair Ferguson, The National
Eighty Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued in Glasgow since a ban on pavement parking came into force last month. A Freedom of Information request revealed that the fines were handed out across 23 streets in the city—an average of three per day. Glasgow Live
The owner of ten old orange Glasgow subway carriages has hit out after a number of them were targeted by "talentless" graffiti vandals. Joe Mulholland is planning to use them for part of a restaurant and as workshops in the Finnieston area of the city. BBC Scotland News
Hundreds of hectares of peatland are being restored to stop Glasgow’s tap water turning brown during extreme rain, safeguarding the 1.3 million homes supplied by Loch Katrine in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Kevin Keane, BBC Scotland environment correspondent
Police Scotland are gathering information on potential financial irregularities in exit payments to former senior staff at Glasgow City Council, following a report after the payments were previously examined by legal advisors. Paul Hutcheon, Political Editor, Daily Record The council splashed out £63,500 on lawyers to probe the golden golden goodbyes for senior staff. Paul Hutcheon, Political Editor, Daily Record
A vital Glasgow service helping Scotland’s most vulnerable children rebuild their lives after severe trauma faces closure due to devastating funding cuts. The Notre Dame Centre, renowned for its specialised support, now stands at risk — leaving countless young lives in limbo. Mark McGivern, Chief Reporter, Daily Record
Glasgow City Council News
Halon Entertainment - who work on some of the world's biggest film, broadcast and gaming productions, such as Mission: Impossible, The Mandalorian and Fortnite - is to create a new studio in Glasgow, creating up to 250 new jobs and attracted by the city's highly-skilled workforce in a £28m investment.
🚖✨ vs. 🚘Glasgow City Council has launched a public consultation on taxi and private hire car numbers in the city, running until May 28, 2025.
📣 Glasgow businesses and landlords are invited to an event at 199 Sauchiehall Street, from 10am to noon on Tuesday, April 1, to learn about the City Centre Improvement Grant Fund. To book or for more information here.
🚨🚓CRIMEBEAT🚨🔵
A third teenager, a 16-year-old boy, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court in connection with the death of Amen Teklay, 15, in the city’s Clarendon Street on Wednesday, March 5, about 10.30pm. Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were arrested early this month in connection with Amen’s death.
A speeding driver, Akbar Razaq, 29, will be sentenced in May after killing Chinenye Okonkwo, 33, pictured above, when his car mounted the pavement at 60mph in a 30mph zone in Glasgow city centre.
A police operation targeting disorder in city centre disorder has resulted in multiple arrests and the recovery of a modified e-bike. Officers from the Local Problem Solving Team carried out a day of action on Wednesday, focusing on the St Enoch and Four Corners areas. A man was charged with a Section 38 offence for threatening and abusive behaviour, while a woman was arrested for shoplifting. police seized an illegally modified e-bike, charging the rider for riding without insurance. During the operation, officers also located two missing persons.
A 58-year male pedestrian was in a critical condition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being struck by a a silver Volkswagen T-Cross car in Cartyne Road at its junction with Murrayfield Street last Saturday at 8.40pm.
A 47-year-old man was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week following the recovery of cannabis plants and herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of around £436,400 in Annieland’s Glencoe Street around 9.20pm last Thursday.
🎉Something for the Weekend 🎬🎶🌿
The Festival of the Sea with more than 100 vendors with freshly cooked seafood and live cooks demos, samples workshops will take place this weekend at The Barras.
The Garage nightclub will hold an Overs party today (Saturday) from 6pm to 10pm. Resident DJ Nicola Walker will be joined by Ewen Cameron, host of the Greatest Hits Radio breakfast show.
Byres Road Market will be held at Hillhead Library today (Saturday) from 11am to 4pm, featuring 25 artisan traders. Entry is just £1, offering a fantastic opportunity to browse unique crafts, gifts, and local goods.
Blast off into an unforgettable adventure at Silverburn’s Galactic Carnival this March, featuring over 20 rides, space-themed photo ops, and out-of-this-world food!
Enjoy a night of rhythm, resilience, and cultural fusion at Govan Music Festival's World Music Night at Govan & Linthouse Parish Church on Saturday at 7.15pm
Celebrate the close of the 2025 Glasgow International Comedy Festival in style with the GICF Comedy Gala at the King’s Theatre Glasgow! Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon showcase featuring the festival’s top comedic talents.
Because You’re a Loyal Reader – Enjoy 25% Off & Keep The Splash Alive
If you value in-depth, independent journalism for Glasgow, become a premium subscriber today and never miss an exclusive story! 👉Sign up here. 25 per cent off forever. And tomorrow, don’t miss out on any fantastic exclusive. The Sunday Spotlight - Discover Glasgow’s Hidden History at Ramshorn Graveyard: Free Tours to Begin This Summer