Pubs paying price of COP26 stay-at-home message, says boss
THE COP26 climate summit has been a “damp squib” for Glasgow’s pubs and restaurants because of the strong, stay-at-home public messaging, according to a leading businessman.
Oli Norman, founder of the events firm Itison, who also owns a string of restaurants and pubs, said hopes that the event would help fuel a resurgence in the city’s economy had not materialised, saying some businesses were reporting 50% losses.
There were concerns leading up to the summit that it would lead to a surge in Covid cases, with more than 30,000 people from 200 countries pouring into Glasgow to attend. There is no evidence to suggest infections have increased in the city yet.
“I think it’s a legitimate point to make,” said Mr Norman who lives in the city’s west end. “However, the minute you are inviting 35,000 delegates into a city I think you have already accepted the fact that it may or may no happen.
“COP has actually been quiet and quite disruptive for most businesses. Clearly the climate takes an absolute priority but bear in mind we have come off a year of disruption.
“For us, we are lucky because most of our businesses are in good locations but for most publicans, restaurant owners, bars etc their trade has been down, often up to 50% throughout COP. It’s partly road closures but predominantly the messaging from our own government has been so strong for everyone to stay at home.
“The people who are at Cop, a lot of them are not staying in Glasgow – they are being bussed into the city.
“What it’s translated to, is a lot of businesses having a really tough two weeks.
“It should have signified a resurgence in the local economy but if anything it has been a damp squib. Don’t get me wrong, we have lots of COP delegates in but it has barely mitigated the effects of people staying away.”
Mr Norman, whose events including the glasGLOW light show contribute millions to the local economy, said the city was in need of a “boost of optimism” following a raft of negative publicity about litter and rats ahead of the staging of the climate summit.
“I’m fiercely proud of Glasgow as a city but We desperately need some strong leadership to start showing a vision of what a better Glasgow looks like.
“I think it’s fair to say that (the city) has lots of systemic issues that somebody needs to get in and tackle and start moving us forward.”
Work by his firm to build the UK’S biggest outdoor ice-rink at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery will get under way in days. Mr Norman said his vision for the winter attraction which will cost “significantly more than £1 million” was inspired by rinks in major cities including New York and Vienna. Around 40,000 tickets have already been sold. The rink track, which is designed by the company behind ITV’s Dancing on Ice, will be covered by a clear marquee roof to ensure skaters can “marvel at our most loved building”.
The two-week project to build it is due to get under way on Monday with opening scheduled for December 2.
Mr Norman said he was determined that his winter events would go ahead despite the added challenges presented by COP26, the pandemic and Brexit, which he said had led to 15-20% higher costs and staffing issues. “Not only did you have COP to deal with and all the nuances of that but you also had huge disruption across the entire supply chain and across the employment base.
“For years, I’ve wanted to do an ice rink in front of Kelvingrove – it’s a long-term investment for us. “What was really important was that not only do you have amazing ice-skating experience but you get to marvel at our mostloved building so the entire roof is seethrough.”
The events boss faced criticism two years ago after his Elfingrove event did not live up to some people’s expectations.
“My goal is always to put on events that we are proud of.
“There are some things that are perfectly legitimate for people to be upset about whether it’s about increased traffic or noise and we are really responsive to ensuring we mitigate that.
“GlasGLOW has around 100,000 people coming to it and we get under 20-30 complaints.
“You can’t please everyone but you have to have a thick skin and you have to determine what is legitimate or is someone being a bit of a keyboard warrior. If you want an easy life then putting on major events is not for you.
“Part of my motivation for glasGLOW and other events we do is that we live in a country which is bathed in darkness for five months of the year and so it’s as much about giving people respite – myself included – and having things to look forward to.”