Finnieston food revolution leaves a sour taste
THE regeneration of Glasgow’s trendy Finnieston district has excluded the residents who need it most, a study claims.
It found that a rise in bars, restaurants and boutique shops had been positive for students and young professionals because amenities were “relatively cheap” in comparison with the city’s West End.
However the changes to the area, recently named the hippest part of the UK, have been less positive for long-term residents, the study found, because of the proliferation of licensed venues and the opening of the Hydro music venue.
They have actually created more problems for residents such as reduced parking, litter and increased noise and reduced amenities such as community hubs.
The study was carried out by Glasgow Centre for Population Health based on discussions with residents and has not yet been published.
Housing regeneration has also had both positive and negative impacts in that properties were now in a better condition, but new developments had been focused on students who don’t tend to settle in the area, resulting in a loss of community.
Finnieston was once regarded as a strip of tenement housing connecting the city centre with the West End. However in recent years the area has experienced what experts term a “first wave” of gentrification where existing residents haven’t yet been pushed out by rising house prices and increased living costs.
It now boasts some of the city’s top restaurants, including Ox and Finch and The Gannet, which have both received a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was recently named the hippest place to live in the UK.
The study concluded that to benefit health and reduce inequalities regeneration must focus, firstly, on the people who are most in need of it.
Dr Pete Seaman director of GCPH said: “Regeneration doesn’t always lead to gentrification and pushing people out.
“An influx of licensed premises is entirely appropriate in an area like Finnieston because of it’s proximity to the West End but would look very different in an area like Easterhouse.
“It’s about making sure you have the balance.”
Dr Nina Baker, Green councillor for Anderston City said: “I totally agree with their analysis.
“Their critique of the issues, ‘fallout’ from the SEC/Hydro audiences in litter antisocial behaviour and parking problems; the proliferation of high-rent student residences have not been good for the area. The Yorkhill residents are more vocal but arguably the Anderston residents suffer as much or more.”
However, Labour councillor Philip Braat believes that local people have benefited from the changes.
He said: “I don’t agree that local residents have been excluded and I’m working to ensure they are included.
“It has provided safer and warmer homes and the economic growth is a real success story but that does bring some changes with regards to cleansing and anti-social behaviour.
“I’m working with the local residents and businesses to try to get more of the communal bins off the streets.
“We’ve just kick-started a programme of re-surfacing of the pavements on Argyle Street, making them safer and more amenable for residents and of course the businesses.
“I’ve also been in contact with the management of the SEC to set up a working group to look at anti-social behaviour and parking issues.”
The study – Perspectives on Place – concluded: “The drive for economic development and creating a vibrant neighbourhood has actually excluded those already living there.
“If the goal of regeneration is to reduce inequality and to improve health, then it should respond first and foremost to those currently struggling and avoid threatening valuable local resources at the expense of providing city-orientated services.”