DONATIONS from film companies are set to be channelled to fund improvements in Merchant City.

The Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) has set up a grant-giving scheme which has been funded by donations from production companies filming in the area over the last couple of years. 

Since 2021, a number of major movies and TV shows have been shot in Merchant City including the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Apple TV's Debutante, and the now-scrapped Batgirl. 

READ MORE: Family-run pizza shop reveals hilarious 'King Charlie' pizza ahead of Coronation

Niall McColl, MCTCC project coordinator, says they are grateful to film companies for the donations that have been made, especially due to the disruption that residents have faced.

He said: "Over the past couple of years we have asked production companies filming in Merchant City and Trongate to make a donation to the Community Council.

"We warmly welcome filming in this historic part of Glasgow and are pleased that scenes have been, or are about to be, featured in many popular movies and TV programmes.

"However, this has inevitably created inconvenience and disruption to local residents.

"Streets have had to be closed, parking and access restricted, and there have been problems with noise, sometimes late at night.

"Most of the donations have been modest but we are grateful to the film companies concerned and now have enough in the fund to launch the scheme and start putting their donations to the best possible use."

READ MORE: Man embarks on West Highland Way e-bike challenge to raise money for charity

The scheme is open to applications from community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, with preference given to those based in or focused on the MCTCC area.

The projects must also benefit residents within the MCTCC area by improving the community environment and supporting the purposes laid out in the community council's constitution.

The grants can be used to cover a range of costs for things including rental fees, general heritage restoration, online/ web resource development and the altering, refurbishing or extending of a building owned or leased by the applicant.

Different percentages of funding for projects will be available up to a maximum of £2500.

Applications for the first round of funding will close on July 31.

You can find out more about eligibility for the grant on the MCTCC website HERE.