Campaigns

Merchant City and Trongate Community Council

Campaigns

Your Community Council is taking the lead on many local issues. These include influencing planning proposals, campaigning for the area’s first GP surgery, protecting heritage sites, questioning the over-provision of student accommodation and the need for and number of certain public processions, improving recycling facilities and limiting the noise from city centre buskers. Several times a year we conduct community litter picks. Get in touch with us if you’d like to join a campaign or want us to take the initiative on other projects

About Us

Friends of Ramshorn Graveyard

Opened in Ingram Street in 1719, the Ramshorn Graveyard predates the Necropolis by more than 100 years. It is the burial place of many of the city’s ‘Tobacco Barons,’ other rich merchants and city fathers.

David Dale, the social reformer who co-founded and ran the 18th century New Lanark mill village, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is buried there. The Graveyard also has a memorial to the first Prime Minister of Canada. Sir John MacDonald.

Free hour long tours are being provided on Wednesdays in June, July and August from 11 am to noon by Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard (FORG), an MCTCC initiative.

To book email [email protected].

Merchant City Park

MCTCC were extremely disappointed that the called-in application for the development of 109 flats on the Ingram St Car Park site was recommended for approval. The alternative, a proposed Merchant City Park is an initiative of the Merchant City & Trongate Community Council along with local residents and businesses in this area of Glasgow city.

We believe the plan will be wholly in line with objectives for the City; to be an attractive, healthy, sustainable, friendly place where people want to come, to live work and play. We agree with the Glasgow City Council City Centre Strategy that calls for this way to encourage investment and development We have tested this approach which found strong public support for:

  • A public park where people can meet friends and others socially
  • The mature trees, aiding health and wellbeing while reducing pollution
  • The internationally recognised Four Seasons mural attracting visitors

We think a welcoming open breathing space, in this ancient part of town, would be a city changing asset. Events with entertainments and markets could be held and would be solid value for the people who make Glasgow.

People, Hospitality and Entertainment Neighbourhood

Glasgow City Council adopted the City Centre, Strategic Development Framework (SDF) in May. Its Foreword says; ‘development that focus on people, place and planet will be crucial for a more attractive, sustainable city centre.’ (p3) (Quotes in italics)Vision: In 2050, the City Centre will be a vibrant, inclusive, sustainable and liveable place. A green, attractive and walkable City Centre will create a people –centred place that is climate resilient, fosters creativity and opportunity and promotes social cohesion, health and wellbeing and economic prosperity. (p3) This 30 year plan is a long time to wait.The proposed People, Hospitality and Entertainment Neighboured would provide a simple, quick fix option for part of the Merchant City & Trongate area. There are appropriate features, which address all ‘six Strategic Place Ambitions for the improvement of the City Centre.’ (p5)PEOPLE - PLACE - PLANET - IMPLEMENTATION