Politicians call for taskforce to save Sauchiehall Street

The Glasgow Times exclusively revealed on Monday night that Marks and Spencer proposes to shut its city centre branch in what has been called "the final nail in the coffin" for the beleaguered area.

Losing M&S marks another major blow to a once bustling street that was the premier place to shop, dine and socialise in the city.

Now politicians have said they will intervene in the shock decision by the high street retailer to move from the Art Deco building it has occupied since 1935.

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said that Sauchiehall Street had once been "the jewel in Glasgow's retail crown" but was now a "derelict husk".

He added: "Famous for its vast array of clothes shops, department stores, restaurants and bars, it was once the beating heart of Glasgow’s City Centre.

"Sadly, those days are long gone and what has been left behind can only be described as a derelict husk.

"The latest announcement from Marks & Spencer that they will be closing their Sauchiehall Street store is the final nail in the coffin and it’s clear that we need a dedicated Taskforce to grip the crisis before Sauchiehall Street is beyond saving.

"That Taskforce should place a real emphasis on regeneration that goes beyond just the re-landscaping of the pedestrian precinct and in my view should be utilising powers to take control of empty properties in the street that are often owned by remote real estate investment vehicles."

Glasgow City Council currently leads a City Centre Task Force (CCTF) that brings together local, national and UK government with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and city centre businesses, education establishments and transport.

Given the ongoing pressures of the pandemic, the CCTF opted last year to create an interim two-year plan for the city centre, covering 2022 to 2024.

While the plan is comprehensive, it does not specifically mention the unique issues facing Sauchiehall Street, which has been hard hit by the two Glasgow School of Art fires, the Victoria nightclub fire, the loss of the historic ABC venue as well as extensive retail closures.

The CCTF is co-chaired by Angus Millar, SNP councillor for Anderston/City/Yorkhill, and Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Millar acknowledged the impact the closure of M&S will have on Sauchiehall Street and the wider city centre, and flagged the ongoing Avenues project.

The streetscape and active travel programme will see work start in late summer on the Sauchiehall Precinct, from Rose Street to Buchanan Street and will transform the look of the area as well as encouraging more cycling and walking.

READ MORE: M&S announces proposal to shut Sauchiehall Street store

The councillor added: "This is a concerning announcement and one of a number of large premises to close down in Glasgow city centre in recent times.

"We know that people’s shopping habits are changing and the pandemic has accelerated existing trends around the decline in city centre retail – that’s why as well as short term measures like covid business support, the longer term focus on, for example, a more diverse mix of uses is so important.

"The planned investment later this year in the look and feel of Sauchiehall Street with the rollout of the Avenues programme to the street’s pedestrian precinct is very welcome, but we need a strategic focus on vacant buildings and sites as well to create a vibrant mix of retail, leisure, office and residential uses.

"The work the council and Chamber of Commerce are leading on via the City Centre Task Force to identify opportunities and remove barriers to repurposing property will be key to this, and it is vital that Scottish and UK Governments are engaged to support long term city centre recovery planning."

Lockdown has been particularly hard on city centre businesses with work-from-home mandates meaning footfall has been greatly reduced.

As of the removal of restrictions in August last year, just 60% of average annual footfall had returned to Glasgow city centre.

Mr Patrick said: "This latest high street closure is yet another sign of the damage that we are continuing to see amid pandemic restrictions.

"The closure of Marks and Spencer will come as a significant blow for Sauchiehall Street, highlighting the impact that the drop in footfall we have experienced across our struggling city centres has had on businesses.

"We may now have reached the time for coordinated intervention to reverse Sauchiehall Street’s decline."

Sauchiehall Street also saw the closure of Watt Brothers department store in 2019 and the loss of Dunnes Stores two years prior.

Greaves Sports also shut its Sauchiehall Street branch in 2017 while in 2016 BHS closed its flagship branch, which still lies empty despite two planning applications being submitted since.

Further along the street, the closure of the Charing Cross branch of Starbucks was also a blow to the area.

Starbucks was contacted for comment about its decision to shut one of its two Sauchiehall Street branches but did not respond to the request.

M&S opened on Sauchiehall Street in 1935 in an Art Deco building designed by Robert Lutyens and has been a constant in the shopping precinct since.

The firm said it is working with a "potential partner" to ensure future use of the landmark site but would not be drawn further.

Mr Sweeney added: "We must not allow that architectural asset to go to rack and ruin.

READ MORE: M&S hints of future for Sauchiehall Street store

"I will be engaging closely with M&S to establish their future plans for the site but if it becomes clear that they are intent on leaving the property empty like the former Watt Brothers, BHS and Dunnes Stores buildings nearby, I will intervene and demand that it is handed to a community trust with a view to repurposing it for community use.

"For too long, people in power have stood by and watched as Sauchiehall Street has declined.

"That cannot continue for one second longer – the people of Glasgow deserve better and I will do everything I can to ensure that our city is given the care and attention it deserves."

SNP MP Alison Thewliss also expressed dismay at the impending loss of Marks and Spencer, saying she was "saddened" by the news.

She added: "My priority now is to speak with Marks and Spencer about the impending closure, the threat to staff employment, and to better understand Marks and Spencer plans for their continued presence in Glasgow.

“Glasgow City Council has invested in the Avenues project to rejuvenate Sauchiehall Street and are working to increase the number of people living in the city centre.

"It is disappointing Marks and Spencer have chosen now to vacate the premises.

"This announcement will cause much disappointment for my constituents, and the staff who are at risk of losing their jobs.

"The store will be sorely missed, and I will do all that I can to support those who will be affected by this closure."

A spokesperson for M&S said should these plans go ahead, the company will work to offer alternative roles with M&S to as many staff as possible.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "All city centres are now facing challenges due to changing retail patterns - accelerated by the pandemic - and the impact of many people working from home and the closure of visitor attraction and entertainment venues on public health grounds over the last 22 months.

"Glasgow city centre is of course not immune to all of this, but we already had in place a number of strategies to face these challenges and the confidence investors have in the area can be seen in developments throughout central Glasgow is a strong indicator in their faith in its future success and the opportunities available.

"We are working with partners on as number of projects that will develop a city centre that is reconfigured to become a vibrant and sustainable place - an area that is attractive to live, work, study, visit and invest in."