Glasgow has been awarded £1.95m in funding from the Scottish Government City Centre Recovery Fund.

Retail footfall is still well below pre-pandemic levels and is in the bottom 10 for recovery out of 60 towns and cities across the UK, according to city business leaders.

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The windfall will be used to support the city's recovery and drive footfall back into the centre following the pandemic.

It comes as welcome news following big-name departures from the Style Mile over the last few years such as Debenhams on Argyle Street and Watt Brothers and Marks and Spencer on Sauchiehall Street.

The Glasgow City Centre Task Force will spend the cash on reducing the cost of outdoor licencing permits to encourage cafe culture among bars and restaurants as well as re-purposing empty premises. 

They will also offer residents travel discounts to encourage travel into town.

A campaign to attract tourists from Europe and North America will also be launched along with people in the UK who may want to visit for a short city break.

Councillor Angus Millar, who is chair of the City Centre Task Force has welcomed the news and said the contribution is a "positive and constructive contribution".

Councillor Angus Millar, Chair of the Glasgow City Centre task force

The cash injection comes weeks after news that low-income households would receive a £110 gift card to be spent with Glasgow businesses. Mr Millar added: "The city centre is not only Glasgow’s economic hub but it has helped define who and what we are as Glaswegians.

"It’s an internationally renowned centre for business, retail, culture, hospitality and learning, a symbol of the changed city Glasgow has become in recent decades.

“So, this Scottish Government funding is a really positive and constructive contribution towards our recovery and understands the particular attention demanded by Scotland’s city centres at this critical time.

“Glasgow city centre, like our peers across the world, has suffered tremendously during the pandemic. Its revitalisation is crucial for Glasgow’s economic, social and cultural re-emergence after these devastating couple of years.”

“These are practical steps looking at the short-term lift the city needs, such as cleaner streets, events and city centre marketing, and measures to make citizens and visitors feel safe and secure.

"We’ve a lot to build on but we need to make sure our city centre is a world-class place to visit, do business, shop, socialise and live.”

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City business leaders also welcomed the news.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “We all know that Glasgow city centre has suffered badly from the pandemic and businesses will be keen to see footfall return.

Stuart Patrick from Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

“The Centre for Cities high street tracker shows that Glasgow’s footfall is still well below its pre-pandemic levels.

“These new funds will not only help improve the centre’s look and feel but will actively support a marketing campaign to draw consumers back to enjoy our retail, hospitality and leisure offerings."

Anne Ledgerwood, centre director at St. Enoch Centre and deputy president of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “We hope that the funding provides a necessary boost to businesses and brings life back to Glasgow’s city centre.

“As we have emerged from lockdown with our own retail, leisure and restaurant developments coming to life, we have seen many customers enjoy the great variety of experiences that the City Centre has to offer, and this welcome investment will ensure a positive recovery for the local community as we move forward.”