Spotlight on iCafe
iCafe in the Merchant City
Initially aimed at students and those with little or no access to the Internet, the group of iCafes in Glasgow are now firmly embedded in their local communities and attracting increasing numbers of visitors to the city.
Launched two decades ago with a single 10-seater cafe by Umer Ashraf Malik when just a teenager, the chain now comprises branches in Ingram Street, Woodlands Road and Bridgeton Cross with a fourth due to open in December at Springfield Quay.
Internet cafes or cybercafes mushroomed in the 1990s in response to demand for shared access to computers with high bandwidth.
“Most people now have their own computer in the form of a mobile phone or laptop but we offer an ideal, relaxing way to work and communicate with friends and family,” says Marco Di Chio, Group Business Manager and Manager of the flagship Ingram Street outlet. “Love of people and coffee is at the heart of everything that we do,” he adds. “Our menu also features a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes, all made with premium 100% Halal ingredients. This commitment to quality and inclusivity reflects the diverse city we serve and ensures there’s something for everyone.”
People living in small apartments appreciate space to spread out to work or simply get a change of scenery. Those in offices like a break from the day-to-day hubbub; remote workers find a peaceful environment with beverages and food on hand.
Private meeting rooms can be hired at £15 an hour and the Ingram Street cafe also hosts training courses, language lessons, a book club and small birthday parties.
The staff of 40 enjoy fixed hours contracts, not zero hours ones, and iCafe participates in apprenticeship schemes with Skills Development Scotland for young people in hospitality.
Interestingly, Marco is witnessing Glasgow’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination in its own right, with visitors coming just to see round the city, not book-ending their stay in Scotland.
The city’s mural trail is a major attraction and he bemoans the fate of the world famous wildlife mural opposite the Ingram Street premises, due to be partially obscured by the construction of more than 100 apartments. MCTCC selected its design and campaigned for many years, so far unsuccessfully, for the car park in front of it to be transformed into Merchant City’s first park.
“Our role as a community hub is something we value deeply,” Marco sums up. “We’re proud to support opportunities for people to connect, create, and share.”
Interesting fact about Marco: He grew up in Verona, speaking Venetian – a language, he stresses, not a dialect.
Meeting Minutes, 28 July 2026
Meeting Minutes, 28th July 2026
| Community Cllrs | Scott Thornton; Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, David Hughes, Gordon Millar, David Cowan, Alice Cowan, Gary Atkinson, Ros Atkinson, Peter Hayman (Associate) |
| Elected Rep. | Cllr Angus Millar, Bailie Christy Mearns |
| Residents | TD, PP, MG |
| Online (Zoom) | AC, GW, EM, NM |
| Police Scotland | PC Chris Convery |
| Other | Gary Fanning (The Splash) |
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
Chair Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Bailie Christy Mearns and Gregor McIntyre (from John Grady MP’s Office)
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 30th JUNE 2026
Adoption proposed by David Hughes and seconded by Gary Atkinson.
The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.
3. POLICE REPORT
PC Convery reported there had been a slight increase in weapon crime. However, there has been a reduction in crimes relating to violence, youth offending, theft and hate. The city centre is monitored with particular interest in George St, Ingram St, Glassford St, Virginia St and Trongate.
Police Questions
Right-wing protest statistics requested (from previous meeting).
Most arrests are made after the event, not on the day.
Officer to obtain arrest figures for next meeting.
Policing cost of the demonstrations: not funded from overtime; considered normal operational resourcing.
CCTV 24/7 monitoring: recruitment of additional staff underway; no confirmed restart date.
Up to 10 small triangular tents on pavement on Glassford St.
Inspector sending reports and communicating with the Neighbourhood Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS) team and the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
£70m per annum currently spent on emergency hotel accommodation city-wide.
Asylum seekers clarified as not a direct pressure: it is people granted leave to remain who then present as homeless.
Police incidents at Glassford Street described as significant.
Antisocial behaviour at Trongate: open drug dealing observed, including under canopy; youths aged 14–24 a seasonal factor.
Community police attend daily but are frequently abstracted to other calls.
Two officers recently went from four on patrol to managing two arrests within minutes due to immediate call demands.
Right-Wing Protest on Saturday: Authorisation and Response
Demonstration was a standing protest, not a procession: so no Council authorisation required or sought.
An application for a procession was reportedly not granted; police were therefore aware a static demonstration was planned.
Police deployed evidence-gathering teams and hate crime advisors; cameras repositioned in advance.
Arrests may not be made on the day: footage reviewed and hate crimes recorded for later investigation.
Community Council concern: the protest coincided with Commonwealth Games Day 1 and Celtic vs AC Milan.
Glasgow Life email acknowledged people “may feel nervous about coming into the City Centre given recent events”.
Call for a Glasgow-level coordination mechanism (analogous to COBRA) to assess and pre-empt public order risks.
Alison Thewliss MSP to be contacted; meeting being sought
Football Fan Celebrations: Ongoing Concern
Football Celebrations – Scott noted we are still waiting for alternatives for the football fan celebrations. We don’t want to find out next April that there are no plans and it goes ahead for the sixth time. We would like someone to the take the lead on this. Cllr Millar noted that GCC has had dialog with the police and the football teams.
There were statements from Celtic F.C. asking fans to not act in an anti-social manner, which is more than they have done in previous years. GCC has tried to bring stakeholders together to find a solution. Cllr Millar noted that an alternative venue may not be the whole solution, and people may still gather at Trongate.
5. SAMH – The Nook Presentation
This presentation will take place next month.
6. ELECTED MEMBER REPORTS
Councillor Angus Millar reported the following:-
Cllr Millar gave an update at Clyde St and South Portland St Bridge. GCC are carrying out a procurement program for the works there.
Reports of anti-social busking at certain areas have come to his attention. One the challenges is showing there has been a beach of regulations by noise pollution. He is seeking clarification of what powers GCC has. Although busking can improve the city centre experience, there are some instances when it can be a nuisance to shoppers and workers. He understands councils in England have more powers to work with.
Parnie St regeneration, he has been looking for an update of the City Centre Strategy and will have a meeting next week about this.
Councillor Millar may set up a meeting involving City Property about the possibility of setting up a Farmers’ Market in The Briggait. Such a move would be supported by the National Farmers’ Union.
Options for the improvement of Candleriggs are being considered. Ross asked about Ingram St and Queen st progress. Cllr Millar shall request an update.
A GCC Amenity Notice has been issued previously to the owners of the vacant site at Clyde St and Fox St. They will take effect on the 6th of August to clear the site up and they have 14 days to do so.
There has been an update issued to Community Councils about various factors that have delayed work at George St. The closure of the southwest corner of George Square will go be closed for 10 weeks, blocking the Queen St and St Vincent St corner to traffic. The Square will be opened in stages.
Ross has not received the lighting design despite have been told in writing he would. Cllr Millar understands that the lighting designs sent to Ross were informative.
Cllr Millar Questions
Scott noted the lack of a doctor’s surgery in the city centre. Cllr Millar noted this is a long term matter. The development of a private surgery at Holland St is at least a starting point.
Orange Walks: 11k people attended Glasgow on Saturday 4th of July. The police don’t give a cost for monitoring these events. Road closures and diversions were restrictive. GCC have a new Processions Officer. There was a complaint about the late notification of the road closures for the parade.
A debrief about the recent TRNSMT music festival is to be held by GCC. Litter was a major problem this year.
Scott noted the new GCC Tourist Tax which will add a 5% surcharge to the cost of an overnight stay across the city. This comes into effect on 25th January 2027. A similar levy has recently come into force in Edinburgh. Cllr Millar understands there will be a GCC report in October about how this revenue will be spent.
Cllr Millar has asked GCC Officers to make an action plan to tackle bird feeding. This will involve new signage.
Purple bins are designated for glass recycling. Niall noted that his glass recycling is in Bell St which is green. Cllr Millar will request a meeting about additional recycling facilities in the city centre.
AC can people who feed birds be fined? It is believed GCC Enforcement Officers can, with a warning given in the first instance.
7. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
David and Alice Cowan have contacted Glasgow Caledonian University to have a MCTCC stand at the Freshers Week which runs for 5 days in September 2026. A quote of £400 has been received.
Flyers aimed at encouraging students to volunteer to work with MCTCC are being designed and will be ready by the start of the next academic year.
Printed copies of the MCTCC LPP have produced. David Cowan sourced 10 copies but these would not be ready for first weekend of the MCF. Niall therefore produced 4 at short notice.
8. PLANNING
Ross gave the following report
- City Development Plan 2 was approved by GCC on 26 June. This is a 10 year plan. Ross will study the document and lead discussion at future meetings. Ross recommended there is a summary and indexing of items and places for better navigation.
- Clyde Street / Oswald Street Bridge works: Council in procurement phase; update expected end of summer/early autumn.
- Maxwell Street / Fox Street appeal re 19 story hotel and serviced apartments: Scottish Government Reporter dismissed the appeal and refused planning permission (decision 16th July).
- Six-week appeal window underway (~2 weeks elapsed); applicant could challenge via judicial review. Reporter critical of architecture but not opposed to development in principle: concern this leaves door open for a revised scheme.
- Osbourne Street: Modular (PBSA) construction proposed; Community Council asked planners to confirm future flexibility if there’s a downturn in demand for student accommodation. General view that student accommodation demand has peaked; student numbers at Glasgow University for 2027–28 reportedly down significantly due to UK government’s visa restrictions.
- Candleriggs: Developer committed to restart engagement on options in August; Community Council to be included.
- Ingram Street / Queen Street greening: Works incomplete; update requested today; possible embargo during Commonwealth Games causing delay; original target was April.
- George Square: Southwest corner closure (St Vincent Street junction) required for stone resurfacing; 10-week closure. Delays have been caused by unplanned Cathedral Street closures removing diversion routes, and underground utilities not where plans indicated to be.
9. LICENSING
Gary Atkinson has emailed Community Councillors about current licence applications which include:
Entertainment Licence – Slam Events Ltd at Clydeside Halls, The Briggait, Friday and Saturday 6pm to midnight. Ref. PEL01474. Last Date to object is 7th of August.
On and Off Sales – Licence variation, The Gallery LIC Ltd, Unit 5, 101 Brunswick St, G1 1YB Outdoor area to be closed by 10pm. Ref. GC1978. Last Date to object is 27th August.
10. EXTERNAL GROUPS
Area Partnership (AP) – David Hughes has written to Rory O’Sullivan regarding funds for our area. He and Scott are seeking a meeting to discuss this matter with Bailie Mearns, AP Chair.
Ross reported that Chris Gray of NRS is preparing a proposal of where to the put the new benches and will present this to MCTCC.
11. PRIVATE LET FIGURES
David Cowan thanked Brian Carroll of GCC Private Landlord Registration Unit, part of Development and Regeneration Services (DRS). The public can search the record to find if private let has registered with GCC at:-
https://landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/
He presented figures for total number of private lettings in the G1 postcode which includes George St, Ingram St, Queen St and Trongate. They were sorted by the resident country of the landlords contact details.
There were a total of 2022 registered landlords, 1705 of which were registered in the UK and 317 were overseas. The largest number of overseas was Hong Kong with 52, Ireland 31, Australia and Singapore have 14 each.
G11 postcode there is a total 1693 which covers Partick, Partickhill and Broomhiill
G12 postcode has 349 which covers Hillhead, Hyndland, Dowanhill, Kelvinside and Clevedon
G13 postcode has 153 which covers Anniesland, Knightswood and part of Yoker
G14 postcode has 469 which covers Whteinch and Scotstoun
G15 postcode has 1331 which covers Drumchapel and partly of Annielsand, Drumry and Clydebank
The contact details for some landlords only includes an address and when this is overseas then they cannot be reached except by post which is unfeasible. However others included a UK letting agency with contact details. If a property or landlord is missing or unregistered, you can file a report at:-
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/11884/Private-Rented-Sector-Complaint-Form
12. TREASURER’S REPORT
Gordon Millar (Treasurer) stated our bank balance as of 28th of July is £8.484.25.
Outstanding: £500 from a film company.
Expenses this month were £107.99 for printing copies of LPP and sundry.
We are expecting to receive the external Auditors Report on our past years financial record in the near future.
13. AOCB
MCTCC have a stand at The Briggait for both Saturdays and Sundays during the Merchant City Festival.
The next litter pick is scheduled for Sunday 9 August from 10.30 starting at the Social Hub. This has been interest from like-minded groups such as Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Southside Action Group.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 25th August 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.
Argyle St and Queen St Overnight Road Closure Friday 14th August
Argyle St and Queen St Overnight Road Closure Friday 14th August
Works to install tree planters on Queen St, and Ingram St will take place on Friday 14th August, necessitating a full closure of Argyle Street/ Queen Street – from the junction of Jamaica Street, Union Street and Argyle Street. There will be local access only from the junction of Glassford/ Ingram St westbound. Diversions will be signposted.
Volunteer With Us
Do you want to help make a difference in the area? Do you want to help make Merchant City and Trongate an even more attractive place to live, work, shop, spend leisure time and more? Can you spare a couple of hours a month?
We’re on the lookout for people who want to get involved in their community, to help improve it. Merchant City & Trongate Community Council is at the heart of the city centre, full of attractions, museums, galleries, concert venues, restaurants, bars and more. Its also home to over 4,000 people!
Community Council volunteers can get involved in lots of different things, from litter picking, leaflet distribution, providing content for our website and social media, encouraging others to take part in the community and much more.
About Volunteering with MCTCC
MCTCC is the residents’ forum for much of Glasgow city centre. We work hard to make the area a better place to live, work, study, play and relax. We campaign on many issues including helping create a balanced housing mix, improving medical facilities, greening the city, converting unused and derelict buildings, and tackling anti-social behaviour and drug abuse. We liaise with Glasgow City Council on all licensing and planning applications. We represent the area on many outside bodies and regularly meet senior Glasgow City Council officers and Councillors, police, the media, and the local MP and MSP. Our monthly public meetings are held in Glasgow City Chambers. We also have monthly internal meetings.
Role Activities
There’s a wide range of activities volunteers with MCTCC can get involved in:
- Researching campaign topics and funding opportunities
- Distributing Promotional material
- Taking part in litter picks and recycling efforts
- Joining ‘walkabouts’ to identify problems
- Providing content for our Website and Social Media channels
- Designing posters and artwork for campaigns
- Assisting with our grant-giving scheme for local good causes
- Generate fresh ideas!
Essential Skills
- Ability to work constructively as part of a team
- Willingness to engage with the community
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of local issues and the needs of the community
- Understanding of local government and public services in Scotland
- Experience of community involvement, volunteering, or public service
- Basic IT skills for email communication and accessing online materials
Time Commitment
Just a few hours every couple of months can help us make a difference – whatever time you can spare will be put to good use.
Support and Training
- We will provide support and training relevant to the activities that you are taking part in
- We provide short induction training to help you understand the role community councils have in local democracy, and what our priorites are in our area
Next Steps
Once you’ve applied to volunteer with us, one of our office bearers will contact you to arrange a convenient time for a face to face chat – this will normally be in the MCTCC area, but we can arrange to meet in a location that suits you.
Expenses
We will refund reasonable public transport costs to travel to the area from other parts of Glasgow.
How to Find out More
Come along to one of our public meetings, complete the form below to send us a message, or drop an email to info@mctcc.scot. You can also send a message to our Facebook page.