A new vision for the city centre has been approved by councillors.

The plan for the ‘Golden Z’ of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street aims to transform the streets for the future.

Specifically, it looks at options for three areas that suffer from vacant properties and derelict land.

While there are significant redevelopment plans for Buchanan Galleries and St Enoch Centre to include more residential and leisure facilities, there are parts of Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street giving concern.

The old ABC/Jumpin’ Jacks site, destroyed in the second School of Art fire, the area around the vacant old BHS store and Victoria’s nightclub and Watt Bros building on the pedestrianised section of the street, the site of the old TJ Hughes and previously C&A on Argyle Street are identified.

Glasgow Times:

The various options seek to repurpose the vacant land and buildings.

It notes that engagement and involvement of the building and land owners is needed and that some “meanwhile” uses could be put in place until longer-term plans are secured.

The strategy looks at better connecting other parts of the city centre like King Street/Trongate/ Candleriggs, Queen Street, Gordon Street and Merchant City with the ‘Golden Z’.

The report states: “The area contains a high number of vacant properties, the most notable being the former TJ Hughes unit and the adjacent upper levels over the under-let retail space.

“There are an increasing number of vacant units within King Street and Chisolm Street, primarily beneath Street level uses plan residential, demonstrating a clear decline in the area's fortunes post-pandemic.”

For Sauchiehall Street, it states: “The section of Sauchiehall Street within the prescribed Z is predominantly pedestrianised and has historically been dominated by retail.

"As a consequence of this, there is very little evening economy activity and this has led to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

“The retreat of established retail chains has left behind a number of vacant and under-let units, many of which are periodically occupied by short-term, poorer quality retailers.”

Glasgow Times:

Angus Millar, convenor for city centre recovery, said: “The Vision and Plan for the Golden Z is a strategic planning project that seeks to explore the specific post-pandemic challenges and opportunities of the centre’s key iconic streets.

“As the Vision and Plan reminds us, the “Golden Z” is a term coined in the 20th century to describe the main shopping streets of Glasgow’s City Centre: Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street.

“These streets have been most affected by the changes in retail shopping which have taken place across the UK.

“The Vision and Plan aims to define a renewed development direction to re-energise the retail core and manage its transition to become more diverse, green and resilient in future.”

Labour Group leader George Redmond said: ''Glasgow Labour supports plans for the 'Golden Z', but we urge the council to take a proactive approach in engaging with local businesses, developers, and stakeholders to ensure that our city centre remains as open and accessible as possible, even in light of the impacts of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.

''It is essential that the council has a strong and effective delivery plan that involves all of the city's partners in taking the city centre forward. This should entail engaging with building and planning professionals to make sure the development is executed as efficiently as possible.”