Glasgow The Garage boss backs McGill's late bus service

As the Glasgow Times reported at the time, First Bus withdrew its night bus services on July 31, after a 12-month review monitoring passenger numbers confirmed it was regularly operating with as little as 14 passengers per hour.

Since then McGill's started a five-night service to replace the buses.

Now, a Glasgow nightclub owner has expressed his support of the new service, which has been running for two weeks now, with passenger numbers at ‘above expected’ levels.

Donald MacLeod MBE, owner of The Garage and Cathouse nightclubs in Glasgow, said it was vital that McGill’s Group had stepped up and enabled workers and revellers to access the city centre on public transport.

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Sandy Easdale, Donald MacLeod MBE, James Easdale and Garage staff (Image: Supplied)

He added: “It felt like Glasgow’s hospitality sector was staring into the abyss when it was announced night-time bus services were being pulled.

"Coupled with trains and a subway system that does not run past midnight and the council’s Low Emission Zone to prevent many cars entering the city centre, it was a real concern how workers and revellers were going to get home at night.

“We’ve been delighted with the services that McGill’s has put on and also the engagement we have had with company bosses.

“The feedback we have received from staff and customers about the McGill’s services has been good and I was pleased to meet with Sandy and James Easdale to consider if additional services could be added in future.

“We want to see Glasgow prosper and that can only happen with a good transport network. McGill’s has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks and it has been a shot in the arm to pubs, clubs and restaurants. It is no secret that the city’s night-time economy has been under severe post-pandemic economic stress, suffering massive drops in footfall, exacerbated by the lack of public transport and the introduction of the brutal LEZ.

“There have been fanciful claims by Glasgow City Council about increased footfall in the city centre – that will only become a reality if companies such as McGill’s keep doing what they’re doing. Long may it continue and hopefully the journey to full recovery for Glasgow’s struggling night-time economy is just around the corner.”

McGill’s chairman James Easdale said: “It was great to meet Donald who is a legend of the Glasgow night-time economy and get his view on night buses and the city centre more generally.

“McGill’s wants to play a part in helping workers and those coming to enjoy Glasgow’s bars, clubs and food outlets. The passenger numbers we have had across two weekends have been good and that supports our vision that there was a viable service that we could provide.”