MAN ON A MISSION
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society chief urges action over city centre’s ‘ Third World decline’
THE director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society has demanded council chiefs take action to rescue Glasgow’s ailing city centre – after describing it as “falling into Third World decline”.
Stuart Robertson says key areas are in such a state of neglect and disrepair that they now look “as if they have been bombed”.
As well as asking for a better plan to revamp the major thoroughfares, he has also called on the local authority to replace the crumbling fire- damaged facade of the former ABC music venue ( right) in Sauchiehall Street and a neighbouring former nightclub with a Mackintosh design centre and visitor attraction.
He said: “It would be something new that would bring people from across the UK and around the world. There are lots of Mackintosh pieces that are in archives and are not on show. You have also got the Mackintosh at the Willow Tearooms just across the road, so it could be a focal point for taking people on tours of his buildings around Glasgow.”
Mr Robertson believes it’s time for council leaders to have a major rethink of their current strategy around attracting visitors to the city, with particular focus on once bustling and vibrant hotspots such as Sauchiehall Street, Union Street and Argyle Street.
He said: “Parts of Glasgow look as if they have been bombed. It’s depressing and it’s got even worse after Covid. There has been a massive, almost Third World, decline.
“When you come out of Central Station, what you are met with is grubby and depressing. You wouldn’t want to be a woman walking along there alone at 10pm and parts of Argyle Street are poor as well.”
However, council bosses insist they are investing in the long- term future of the city including the Golden Z regeneration plans and the Avenues project, which aims to create a network of “attractive, accessible, safe and sustainable routes throughout the city centre”.
Mr Robertson’s comments come as Glasgow Life receives £ 350,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the development of the renewal of Sauchiehall Street.
In recognition of the history of the area, a dedicated project team will work with the people who live in, work on and visit the street, to ensure its future acknowledges its proud past by drawing on its strong cultural associations with dance, music, film and theatre. Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council’s convener for culture, said: “This support from The National Lottery is fantastic news for Sauchiehall Street and will help to revitalise what is one of Glasgow’s most iconic streets.
“The funding marks a major milestone in our city’s efforts to deliver positive economic and social change in the area. The transformative plans will ensure that organisations, businesses, residents and visitors alike will benefit for years to come.” Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund director for Scotland, said: “Sauchiehall Street is known for its culture, entertainment, shopping and nightlife, as well as being home to a diverse community.
“This funding is an important first step in our long- term commitment to support heritage- driven regeneration, working closely with stakeholders, including the local community and businesses, to revitalise the area. This is a clear commitment to keep this iconic street at the heart of Glasgow’s story.”
A council spokesperson said Glasgow, like cities across the UK, has struggled to bounce back from changes in consumer habits.
They added: “Like many city centres in the UK and around the world, Glasgow city centre has been affected by the economic and structural changes that were accelerated by the pandemic, most notably in retail and people now working from home more often.
“In recognition of these changes and the need to respond, programmes of work, such as the Golden Z [ regeneration] plans and the Avenues project, have been developed and implemented to ensure that the city centre adapts to those changes and thrives in the future.
“Key to this will be bringing a new mix of uses for property in the city centre, for example the conversion of empty or underused office and retail space to meet the needs of the growing number of people living in the city centre.”