Business owners are ‘bitterly disappointed’ over market closure
BUSINESS owners have said it is “bitterly disappointing” that George Square’s Christmas market has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
As the Glasgow Times exclusively revealed on Wednesday, the popular festive event has been cancelled by Market Place Europe as Glasgow City Council was unable to guarantee when organisers would be able to begin setting up following COP26.
Now, business owners have shared their frustration at the news.
Kevin Maguire, owner of Metropolitan Bar and Restaurant in Merchant City, says there seems to be “no logic” to the decision and it will be “effectively sending people to Edinburgh”.
He said: “I think it’s a poor decision with an inadequate explanation and whoever the decision makers have been in this case, it’s short sighted and it will affect businesses.
“Every form of business depends on the maximisation of footfall, so it stands to reason that if the perceived footfall was going to be X with a market there, then for every person that’s missing there’s a revenue stream being reduced.
“Quite frankly, it cannot be for the good of anybody not having people come to see what it is you’re trying to sell, whether it be retail, leisure, whatever, you’re better with the people than without.”
Mario Arcari, director of La Vita Restaurants, agrees the loss of the market will be “damaging” to city centre businesses.
He said: “It is bitterly disappointing that the Glasgow Christmas market and Glasgow Light Switch On at George Square have both been cancelled for the second year running.
“These are important events in the calendar year for all businesses surrounding George Square and require a lot of planning which has now gone to waste.
“It will certainly be damaging for trade with these not going ahead.
“While last year was disappointing, it was understandable with the precarious position of the pandemic.
“We are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel now with vaccines, but this is a further setback in ours and others recovery.”
The Federation of Small Businesses have said they are hopeful that George Square could still be used over the Christmas period to ensure businesses don’t suffer.
Hisashi Kuboyama, development manager for Glasgow, said: “After enduring the trials of the last 18 months including a huge drop in footfall, independent shops, cafes and restaurants in the city centre were hoping to see people come back for festive events including the Christmas market.
“So the cancellation of George Square Christmas market will cause disappointment for these small operators.
“It would be good to see the square utilised for other purposes to attract shoppers and diners during the festive period.
“Many small city centre firms would be hoping decision-makers come up with alternative plans so the square will not lie empty for the entire festive period.”
The Christmas market at St Enoch will still go ahead from around November 21-22 until December 23.