Sauchiehall Street businesses 'may not survive' by time fire safety cordons and works are lifted

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, has called for a significant fund to help firms affected by the street closures.

MS McNeill said she has spoken with business owners who are tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket as a result of the street being shut off.

Work on the avenues project has been accelerated in certain areas to allow progress while the exclusion zone has halted work outside the O2.

Work is expected to be complete by the end of next summer.

However, a council spokesman, said said: “Until further information becomes available regarding the exclusion zone it is difficult to accurately predict when work on the project will finish.”

Ms McNeill said: “It has been made clear to me that unless serious action is taken to support businesses which existed before the fires that many fear they will not survive.

“That’s why I’m calling on Glasgow City Council to create a fund to support businesses through this unprecedentedly difficult time. I would expect the Scottish Government to make a sizeable donation to this fund.”

She has written to the council’s building and planning department asking for some businesses and residents to be allowed in to retrieve essential items from their properties under supervision where safe to do so.

Meanwhile Glasgow North East Labour MP, Paul Sweeney, has called on the UK Government to provide financial support to businesses which has lost out during the closures.

He has written to the Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, seeking a revenue relief fund.

Mr Sweeney said he has been told by the Pavilion Theatre manager his business has suffered losses greater than which the rates relief from the council and which their insurers will cover.

A spokesman for Glasgow City council said: “Businesses can benefit from rates relief - including a zero-rating for premises inside the cordon and hardship relief for other firms.”