POSSILPARK BIDS TO GET STREET SMART FOR THE FUTURE
Our election focus turns to Maryhill and Springburn and efforts to make improvements
IN the middle of the Maryhill and Springburn constituency is Possilpark. At the heart of Possilpark is Saracen Street. Local traders and housing and community organisations are focused on a plan to improve the main street, make it a nicer place for local people and to attract others to live in the area.
Plans include a Business Improvement District which was curtailed by the pandemic but is now firmly back on track.
It would see a uniform shop front programme to restore a stylish heritage look to the street. Other work on street lighting, installing trees and planters, making better use of public space and better management of commercial waste are all in the plans.
Jackie Shearer is the BID co-ordinator. She said: “Traders want to improve the street. NG Homes started the talks and devised plans for a BID, then in March last year we had to park it with the pandemic. We still had emerging BID status, but the focus turned to helping people with food and other supplies.
“We are ready to go back to where we were.”
She added: It is a unique BID here. It is a business and community model. It is a high street that is particular to the community. Others are about visitors, this is about community.”
NG Homes, one of the biggest housing associations in the wider area, has led the regeneration efforts, with the Remaking Saracen vision to promote a shop local campaign.
Margaret Fraser, head of regeneration at NG Homes, said that for the last year Covid has been the focus. She said: “We have got to know people better. There has been a lot of support in the community. In Possilpark people care about each other.”
Local independent businesses said they want to see the main street improved.
Karen Carlisle has owned Florist Gump flower shop in Saracen Street for eight years.
She said: “We need the streets to be cleaned up and brighten up the main street. There is a plan to do the shop fronts which will be good. If we did something to stop people parking all day it would help the shops, then people could stop for a little while, go to the shops and then move on, instead of people taking the spaces all day.”
Stacy Thomson owns Stacy’s Barbers across the street. She said: “It could be cleaner. The people are good people, but the place needs tidied up.”
Mustapaha Alaseel of Baghdad Bakery said Possilpark is improving.
He said: “We have had the shop for five years and every year it gets better.
“I would like to see all the shops the same colour that would make the street look better. I think that is to happen.”
Queen Cross Housing Association has plans for hundreds of homes at Hamiltonhill, which has been mostly derelict land for more than 10 years.
Shona Stephen, chief executive of the Queens Cross Group, said: “Over the next five years the group will target resources at building and sustaining better neighbourhoods, creating greater life opportunities for local people and developing greener spaces and healthier communities.
“Providing safe, attractive neighbourhoods with welldesigned and well managed homes is the cornerstone of any community.
“Helping to facilitate employment opportunities locally has never been more important as we come out of lockdown. We have a crucial role to play in helping sustain and create jobs as our community unlocks and starts to recover from the constraints it has been under for the past 12 months.
“By 2025 we want to finish the transformation of the area and make our neighbourhoods places people are choosing to live and work.”
We asked the candidates for Maryhill and Springburn their priorities.
Bob Doris, SNP: “Regeneration is a priority. I helped secure the demolition of the Talisman Pub and investment in community facilities at Roystonhill and Possilpoint. We have delivered new social housing including at Milton, Cadder, and Maryhill; with plans for a further 100,000 affordable homes.
“Our action on childcare, education, NHS recovery, jobs, and poverty will help local families.”
Keiran O’Neill, Labour: “This is the place I am proud to call home, but it is being forgotten about. Whether this is Maryhill Library under threat because our city has been robbed of more than £350 million, or the Caley workers who were abandoned.
WWe deserve so much better. That is why I am standing to serve this community. We need a fresh start.”
Alix Mathieson, Conservatives: “All of my focus is on rebuilding our communities after the devastating effects of Covid.
People care for each other here
As a small business owner and a volunteer with many organisations
“I have been acutely aware of the challenges facing our area in the last year. If you want a Parliament 100% focused on your recovery, you must vote for me in the constituency vote.”
Andrew Chamberlain, Liberal Democrats: “Investing in green transport links and infrastructure, giving young people a job guarantee, and making the investments needed to get our education system back on track.
“Thousands of people in Maryhill and Springburn are hampered in getting jobs by inadequate transport links to the rest of Glasgow. It’s time for change, and it’s time to put recovery first.”