Strategy for Glasgow’s post-pandemic recovery aims to reshape its economy
EMPTY streets, deserted office blocks and the shutters of retail outlets firmly closed, Scotland’s largest city was almost unrecognisable during months of lockdown.
Overnight, it had gone from a vibrant, bustling city with a flagship retail industry to a ghost town as towns and cities across the UK had to shut.
Its city leaders focused on an economic strategy to lead Glasgow out of the pandemic – a city that faced tougher Level Three restrictions for longer than other parts of the country.
Now, city council officers are working on a new Glasgow Economic Strategy in recognition that the pandemic has changed the city’s economy. The council says this new strategy will focus on three challenges facing the city – productivity, inclusive growth and climate change.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “The Action Plan the Glasgow Economic Recovery Group developed has already made an economic impact and will continue guide our economic recovery in a way that meets our objectives.
“The need to respond to the major economic challenges posed by the pandemic led to the establishment of the group and its members – representing sectors from across the city – rose to the challenge.”
While the recovery group (GERG) has now wound down, its executive group – with members from the city council, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the academic sector – will continue to meet to oversee the implementation of the plan. Councillors were this week given an update and review of the recovery group’s achievements.
A key initiative of the group was the establishment of the City Centre Task Force, and the council will also look at the idea of green ports. It follows the Scottish Government’s announcement on Green Ports, which adapt the UK Government’s Freeport proposals with tax and custom reliefs offered on the condition of adopting Fair Work practices and contributing to Net Zero targets. Glasgow City Region is working on a bid with private sector partners.
There has also been further development of a “Glasgow narrative” that will showcase the city’s assets and business edge on an international stage and drive inward investment. This will be used alongside a recently launched digital tool – Zoom Prospector – which highlights key strengths that lie in the city’s specialisms, skills, talent and in the development of innovation districts.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Glasgow Economic Recovery Group helped shape the city’s response to the economic impact of the pandemic. Just one example of the impact that it has had in the city is the setting-up of the Glasgow City Centre Task Force in which Glasgow Chamber of Commerce co-chairs. That task force recognises the severe damage done to the engine room of the regional economy and brings partners together to ensure its recovery.
“Now is the right time to plan for the longer term and build a fresh economy for Glasgow – one that can respond to the many changes we face.
“The pandemic has altered our behaviours in so many ways and we need to understand how many of those will stick. We need to meet our targets for achieving a net-zero economy and we have to be sure Glasgow is involved in developing the new technologies for the digital revolution.”
We need to meet our targets for achieving a net-zero economy