Meeting Minutes, 30 June 2026
| Community Cllrs | Scott Thornton; Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, David Hughes, Gary Atkinson, Ros Atkinson, Peter Hayman (Associate) |
| Guests | Kat Heron (2026 Commonwealth Games), Emma Donald (Glasgow Life/Merchant City Festival) |
| Residents | TD, PP, GF |
| Online (Zoom) | David Cowan, Alice Cowan, AC, GF |
| Police Scotland | PC Stevie Gemmell |
| Other | Ava Whyte (Glasgow Times) |
1. Welcome And Apologies
Chair Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Gordon Millar, Cllr Angus Millar, Cllr Eva Bolander, Bailie Christy Mearns, Gregor McIntyre (from John Grady MP’s Office)
2. Minutes Of Previous Meeting On 26th May 2026
Adoption proposed by David Hughes and seconded by Gary Atkinson.
The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.
3. Police Report
PC Gemmell reported that most crime that has risen since last month was youth offending. Following on from last month’s discussion about the sale of alcohol during the football celebrations he said no licensing inspections were undertaken that day for safety reasons. There were 24 licensed visits to public houses and shops in advance of the event and no issues were identified. Advice was given and reminders given of their responsibilities.
There is a multi-agency investigation into vape shops. The police have organised several days of action to tackle e-bike infringements and issue safety guidance. Glasgow City Council (GCC) is looking at bringing in a Bye- Law for tighter regulation. A survey was taken and found there were approximately 8,000 trips by e-bikes on Sauchiehall Street.
Police Questions
Scott thanked Inspector Lisa McDonald for his and Gary’s meeting with her earlier this week. This was the fifth year of Celtic football celebrations on Trongate. MCTCC will continue to try to find an alternative solution and work with the authorities to do so. Gary attended the Licensing Forum last week. Supermarkets can sell any quantity of alcohol if the buyer is over 18 and sober.
Ross Naismith asked if the Dispersal Zone time would be extended. Scott reported that he and Gary had been informed by Inspector McDonald that the Zone had been extended for a further three months to September. Thereafter the decision would be up to GCC.
Ross asked if it could be extended by area to include Saltmarket which would inhibit any celebrations next year.
He enquired if crime figures were collated for disturbances on Buchanan St relating to anti-migrant protests after the murder of Henry Novak in Southampton last December. PC Gemmell confirmed that such figures would have been collected and he would try to produce these at the next full MCTCC meeting.
Scott has had reports that some people do not feel safe now in the city centre, in particular at St Enoch Square, with large group gatherings. PP noted that placing a police van in St. Enoch or near the River Clyde prevents crime. PC Gemmell agreed but the reduction is not significant. There is currently a showground at the Square which does not leave room for a police van.
This Saturday there will be many Orange Walks in the city centre with an estimated 11k people expected to attend. Scott noted that GCC had declined a request by MCTCC to introduce a moratorium on these and similar parades. MCTCC had also sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Police Scotland (PS) asking how much was spent on policing these marches. PS had responded by saying they did not track such costs.
David C noted the many road closures due to the Orange Walks meant drivers in the city centre having to move their cars on the day before the event.
It was announced last week that CCTV will be monitored 24 hours per day in Glasgow city centre from September – a move long called for by MCTCC.
4. Merchant City Festival Presentation
Emma Donald from Glasgow Life/Merchant City Festival reported this will run from 24th of July to the 2nd of August during the Commonwealth Games (CG).
Candleriggs Square will become a Festival Village which will include a stage with live performances and a large screen showing sports from the CG.
In Merchant Square there will be stalls, street food and a bar. Events are also planned in The Briggait and The Ramshorn Graveyard and surrounding landmarks. Installations will be set up on Thursday 23rd July.
Road closures include from South Ingram St to Trongate and from Glassford St to Albion St. However, Albion St has been kept open this year as it has a stewarded taxi rank. Business deliveries are allowed from 6am to 11am. Businesses and affected residents should receive a letter informing them of these. Residents who will be affected are being offered alternate parking arrangements. A full list of road closures can be downloaded from:
https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/whats-on/merchant-city-festival/local-businesses-and-residents
MCTCC will have a stand in the Briggait for both weekends on Saturday and Sunday: 24th to the 26th of July and 31st July to 2nd August. Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) will join us.
There is a clean-up of the riverside beside Glasgow Green (on both banks, with land and water-based groups working from canoes) on Tuesday 21st July, run by KSB.
5. Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 Presentation
Kat Heron from Glasgow CG 2026 gave an overview of the Games programme. More than 70 countries will be represented.
Gary attended the Games’ roadshow event recently in The Social Hub. There are many events going on prior to the games starting such as Wimbledon and the World Cup and after this the CWG will begin. If anyone has any questions they are welcome to contact her.
David Hughes asked about extra transport provision for the large number of spectators. Kat explained there will be additional buses and some trains will have extra carriages on trains stopping at Jordanhill rail station.
More information can be found at: https://www.glasgow2026.com/getsethub
Elected Member Reports
No City Councillors attended this meeting.
7. Community Engagement
David and Alice Cowan have contacted Glasgow Caledonian University to host a MCTCC stand at the Freshers Week in September. Scott has written a leaflet for this purpose, which will be designed by Nettl. MCTCC branded clothing and pens have been purchased for engagement events such as MCF.
8.Planning
1. 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.
(2) Argyle Street (East) Avenues project
Ross recalled that GCC’s Avenues Team (AT) presented their Argyle Street (East) programme to MCTCC on 26th May. There was no discussion on design content at that time.
At the meeting Contractor Wills Brothers was asked whether they had been issued with a robust set of technical drawings that they were comfortable with in terms of quality. AT responded that they had been issued and RN said he would like to see them.
Subsequently, MCTCC formally requested sight of these drawings. AT directed us to the portal where they said they were lodged.
Our reasonable expectations were that the technical drawings offered by AT would be the same quality as issued to Wills, i.e. a clear and definitive set of construction status (RIBA/Stage 4) Technical Drawings, with details and specifications as defined.
In effect, the drawings on the portal turned out to be two plans (only) that were considerably less informative than the drawings that MCTCC had been (eventually) issued with by AT on 30th September 2025 (subsequent to, and better than, the AT presentation set of the same date).
In his view this set of portal drawings is not of the quality that any Contractor would be satisfied with as a Contractual Construction set and are not as requested by MCTCC.
The portal upload that AT sent to MCTCC recently is, if anything, more elemental than the 30th September 2025 drawings and less helpful, and most definitely NOT the Stage 4 quality requested.
MCTCC has temporarily abandoned hope that AT will issue the requested RIBA Stage 4 Technical information, and he has reviewed the two drawings on the portal.
Ross’ personal view is that AT are failing in their duty to fully and correctly communicate with, and inform, MCTCC and the wider public.
Much ‘play’ is made by AT about how AT communicates but this is not the case, and obstacles to full disclosure are put up constantly.
Reviewing the portal upload plans is very unsatisfactory as those proposals are virtually impossible to decipher.
Ross said he wanted the design proposals to be presented in detail by the principle Design Team members and held up to scrutiny. He considers that the scheme as currently drawn is not proven ‘fit for purpose’.
Also on Argyle Street (East) he said there were too many complications to design plans, notable with cycle lanes and especially between Albion Street and Glasgow Cross. These could prove problematic and should be designed out/simplified, to minimise potential sources of danger to pedestrian, cyclists and other road users.
There was insufficient clarity in the proposals, in particular, between Queen Street and Albion Street.
It was not acceptable that MCTCC (and others) were left to their own devices to attempt to interpret the proposals. ST should be ensuring that the proposals are clearly presented to all and any ‘interested parties’, including MCTCC, on behalf of the Public, and understood.
In addition, no Landscaping proposals, details or specifications have been shown
The over-complications coupled with the excessive hard landscaping, with many materials used, mean the proposals are unnecessarily expensive for questionable gain.
Whereas ‘hard landscaping’ seems excessive, soft landscaping was underwhelming. Rain gardens needed to be more extensive, impacting the scheme generally.
Further to discussions and agreements with various stakeholders, and further to the successfully benchmark planting of ‘in ground’ trees in the Argyle Street (West) stretch at the Hope/Oswald Street junction, tree planting on Argyle Street (East) is focussed on planting of mature ‘in ground’ tree ‘clusters’.
3) Parnie Street Area / Regeneration Initiative, He has written for an update.
5) GCC Planning ‘Key’ Applications / Time frames.
– George, High, Shuttle Streets, / PBSA, (Purpose Built Student Accommodation) April 2025 application. We objected to this architecturally, the loss of trees and student accommodation saturation, In December 2025 he was informed in writing that it had been decided. However, it was not known if this was for approval or not. It has not been announced as yet, 15 months later.
– Custom House Quay, July 2025 application. He commended the application and was told 2 months ago it would be announced soon, but has not. It is now 1 year later.
– King Street Car Park, August 2025 application. He was informed a decision would be made imminently 6 weeks ago but there has been no update.
–178 Trongate/ Hutcheson Street PBSA, April 2026 re-application (amendment to conditions). Demolition has commenced. The developer has been given approval to demolish but not for the full application.
6) Maxwell, Fox Streets – Serviced apartments and hotel (19 storeys). The owner has appealed against refusal for planning approval. Decision due to be announced by the Scottish Government soon.
7) 159 (Malocchio)/ Ingram, Hutcheson, GCC has refused permission for a marquee. MCTCC objected to this application.
8) Old Wynd/ Osborne (Ex- Dominus) Site, Orchard Student Holdings Ltd, PBSA. He is seeking a meeting with the developer.
9) Candleriggs, Ingram Street and Queen Street, postponement, update. The hoardings are still in place, hopefully it will be finished soon.
10) St Enoch Square (East) to Stockwell Street/ Regeneration Initiative, He and Scott are due to meet the new Centre Director when that person takes up the post at the end of July.
11) Granite House, Stockwell Street, re-application/MCTCC
Ross noted how he had dissented from objections to these applications which were lodged earlier this month by the Secretary on behalf of MCTCC. This stated that we continue to have serious concerns about the preponderance of PBSA in our area. The forecast shortfall in student beds has been shown to be exaggerated.
Objection submitted. Pending.
9.Licensing
Gary Atkinson reported there were no relevant applications this month.
Scott noted the TRNSMT music festival attendees left behind a large amount of litter in the city centre. Does GCC get compensated by DF Events for the cost of the clean up? The demographic of attendees appears to be getting younger. MCTCC and Calton CC are concerned about the commercialisation of Glasgow Green.
10.Local Place Plan (LPP)
GCC has validated MCTCC’s LPP. It is available to view on our website, along with our planning policies. Scott thanked David H, Ross and Niall for their work. David C will make enquiries about getting printed copies.
It ties in with the City Development Plan 2 (See above). A three month consultation period begins in late August and MCTCC will contribute to this.
David Hughes has commended Blythswood and Broomielaw CC’s LPP, recently shared.
11.Friends Of Ramshorn Graveyard (FoRG)
David Hughes reported there are 47 tours booked, of which he has completed 19. FoRG has received £661 in donations to date. One of the new tour guides is looking into the genealogy of those buried there. The next meeting of the group will be on the 15th July.
The tours are available on the Eventbrite website and can also be booked by emailing tours@ramshorngraveyard.org
11. External Groups
Area Partnership (AP) – David Hughes reported the AP previously informed him our area had been awarded £104,768 for benches, trees and £25k for the Tron Theatre steeple. However, at the 30th April AP meeting it came to light there was only £45,000 allocated. The Chair and David Hughes have contacted Bailie Mearns, Chair of AP, to discuss.
Part of our AP budget was for the removal of 3 dead trees and replacement. They have been taken away but new trees have not been planted.
Gary and Ros initiated a grant of £25,000 from the AP for the Tron steeple two years ago and it is only now being granted. Scott is discussing this with the Theatre Director.
Glasgow Community Councils Federation (GCCF) – David Cowan attended the inaugural meeting. The mission statement was agreed and office bearers voted in. The next meeting will be in September; details to follow.
12.Treasurer’s Report
Gordon Millar (Treasurer) could not make this meeting but sent a report. The MCTCC bank balance as of 28th of June, 2026, was £8,484.25.
13. AOCB
Unresolved Noise Pollution Issues – Scott has received several reports of noise pollution which seem not to be taken seriously by GCC:-
- the noise from an extractor fan at the Madras Café on Stockwell St has caused complaints. However, an environment Officer attended and reported the noise to be acceptable. Scott is taking the matter further. The noise is near constant from 11 am to 11 pm.
- the early morning collection of glass and general refuse by bin lorries is awakening local residents. This has been a long-term problem and still no solution has been found. Niall noted other CCs LPPs have noted similar issues.
Filming – A resident of Parnie St was unhappy with recent filming of the Meantime production which prevented him entering his residence at night. He noted they filmed later than they were notified. Scott has been in contact with Glasgow Film Office and the film production team on his behalf and the second filming session during the daytime went ahead without incident. It is understood several other movies are likely to be filmed in Glasgow soon. Greater consultation with residents and businesses will be required.
Media – Scott reported on an article in The Herald by Marissa McWhirter on the 26th of June, agreeing with many of this Community Council’s policies, entitled ‘Glasgow wants 40,000 city centre residents but is still planning a student campus’. It notes there are already 20,500 students beds in the city.
The next litter pick is scheduled for Sunday 9 August. This has been advised to Ward Councillors and some of our partners including the Social Hub, Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Southside Action Group.
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 28th July 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.
Glasgow's Pride 18th July - Road Closures
Glasgow’s Pride 18th July – Road Closures
Glasgow’s Pride takes place on Saturday 18th July, with a stage in the Merchant City. As a result, there will be road closures in effect from 3pm on Friday 17th July, with no waiting restrictions from Thursday afternoon.
Roads affected by closures are shown in red. Map data from OpenStreetMap
| No Waiting, Loading, etc | No Vehicle Movements | |
| Hutcheson Street Brunswick Street Bell Street from Candleriggs to Walls Street Garth Street (access to residents parking will be maintained) Wilson Street from Glassford Street to Candleriggs |
From 3.00pm on Thursday 16th July To 11.59pm on Saturday 18th July |
From 3pm on Friday 17th July To 11.59pm on Saturday 18th July |
Commonwealth Games - Getting Around Glasgow
Commonwealth Games – Getting Around Glasgow
Visit the Get Set Hub for all the latest information on getting around Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games. Unlike the 2014 Games, there are no dedicated games corridor roads, and participants will be staying in local hotels rather than a dedicated village. During the games, public transport will be busier, especially between the central area and the games venues.
Bridgegate Overnight Road Closure - 14th to 17th July
Bridgegate Overnight Road Closure – 14th to 17th July
To facilitate the establishment of a site compound for the Stockwell Street Avenues project, the following road closure will be required to allow for the transfer of cabins into a disused railway arch, located on the south side of Bridgegate:
- Bridgegate Road Closure – Between Stockwell Street and King Street, in effect from 0100 hours until 0600 hours on each day between Tuesday 14th and Friday 17th July 2026.
Access to Howard Street and Goosedubbs will still be possible via Stockwell Street, however no access will be permitted to Bridgegate at the southern extents of either road. The main diversion route will be via Stockwell Street northbound, Trongate, and Saltmarket. The diversion route for Stockwell Street southbound vehicles will be via Howard Street, Dunlop Street, Clyde Street, then via the main Stockwell Street northbound, Trongate, and Saltmarket diversion. In order to facilitate the diversion, the following suspension will be in effect:
- Stockwell Street Northbound Bus, Taxi and Cycle Lane Suspension – All northbound vehicles will be permitted to use the northbound bus lane on Stockwell Street for the duration that this Order is in effect.
The Stockwell Street southbound bus gate will remain in effect throughout, as normal, allowing authorised vehicles only (buses, taxis and cycles) continued access to Victoria Bridge/Gorbals Street. For further information please contact citydeal@glasgow.gov.uk. Information provided by Glasgow City Council
Public Consultation - Clyde Mission Strategic Masterplan
Public Consultation – Clyde Mission Strategic Masterplan
Led by Glasgow City Region and Argyll and Bute Council, the Clyde Mission programme seeks to revitalise the River Clyde corridor with a key aim of addressing the challenges posed while capitalising on the many opportunities presented by the river corridor.
The online survey on the Clyde Mission Strategic Masterplan will be open until midnight on Tuesday the 21st of July 2026.
With information about the history of the river and Clyde Mission itself, the survey provides the opportunity to input priorities and ideas into the Strategic Masterplan being developed during 2026.
Once completed, the masterplan will set out a vision and recommendations for the future of the river including a prioritised long-list of strategic projects and programmes along with proposals for future investment and implementation.
It will focus on high-level ambitions and activities and will be the culmination of engagement with key stakeholders and communities along the river.
The survey sets out details of the emerging masterplan, including core principles and themes developed to help to shape and prioritise activities that will eventually be recommended, to ensure these address long-term transformation and impact. Twenty potential signature locations have also been identified which show strong potential for high‑impact change, from regeneration, housing and economic growth to environmental improvements and better access to the river.
You can access the survey at: Clyde Mission Strategic Masterplan
Road Closures - July
Road Closures – July
Its a busy month in Glasgow, with Pride, Merchant City Festival, Mens 10K and the Commonwealth Games all taking place and impacting on roads around the city. The affected roads in our area are listed below:
- Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th July – Boyne Parade
- Sunday 12th July – Mens and Womens 10K
- Saturday 18th July – Pride Festival
- Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th July – Merchant City Festival Weekend 1
- Friday 31st July – Sunday 2nd August – Merchant City Festival Weekend 2
Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th July – Boyne Parade
No waiting or loading or unloading 4.00pm on 3rd July 2026 to 4pm on 4th July
- Bell Street between Albion Street and Watson Street
- Greendyke Street between Saltmarket and Turnbull Street
- High Street for its full length
- Ingram Street between Shuttle Street and High Street
- London Road between James Morrison Street and Saltmarket
- Saltmarket for its full length
- Howard Street for its full length
Prohibition of vehicle movements – 5.00am to 4.00pm on 4th July
- Bell Street between Albion Street and Watson Street
- Bridgegate between King Street and Saltmarket
- College Street at its junction with High Street
- Gallowgate between Trongate and Watson Street
- Greendyke Street between Saltmarket and Turnbull Street
- High Street for its full length
- Ingram Street between Shuttle Street and High Street
- King Street (southbound only), between Bridgegate and Osbourne Street
- London Road between James Morrison Street and Saltmarket
- Parsonage Row at its junction with High Street
- Saltmarket for its full length
- St Andrews Street for its full length
- Trongate between Albion Street and High Street
Sunday 12th July – Mens and Womens 10K
No waiting and no loading or unloading restrictions from 3.00pm on 11th July to 4.00pm on the 12th July, and prohibition of vehicle movements from 5.00am to 4.00pm on the 12 July
- Argyle Street, between Hope Street and Queen Street
- Albion Street, between George Street and Ingram Street
- Bridgegate,between Kings Street and Saltmarket
- Broomielaw, (Westbound), between Glasgow Bridge and Brown Street
- Buchanan Street, between Argyle Street Nelson Mandela Place
- Candleriggs, for its entire length
- Clyde Street, between Saltmarket and Bridegate
- Crown Street, for its entire length
- George Square (north side), for its entire length
- George Street between George Square and High Street
- Greendyke Street, for its entire length (westbound closed)
- High Street, between Gallowgate and Saltmarket (Southbound closed)
- Ingram Street, between Albion Street and Montrose Street
- Jamaica Street between Argyle Street and Midland Street
- King Street, between Kings Street car park and Bridgegate (Southbound closed)
- King Street, between Parnie Street and Trongate
- King George the V Bridge for its entire length
- Midland Street for its entire length
- Oswald Street, for its entire length
- Saltmarket, for its entire length
- St Vincent Place, for its entire length
- Trongate, for its entire length
- West George Street between West Nile Street and George Square
18th July – Pride Festival
Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading 3.00pm on the 17th July until 11.59pm on the 18th July
- Brunswick Street for its full length
- Bell Street between Candleriggs and Walls Street
- Garth Street for its full length
- Hutcheson Street for its full length
- Wilson Street between Glassford Street and Candleriggs⠀
Prohibition of vehicle movements 6.00am on the 18th July until 11.59pm on the 18th July
- Brunswick Street for its full length
- Bell Street between Candleriggs and Walls Street
- Garth Street for its full length – local access to resident parking
- Hutcheson Street for its full length
- Wilson Street between Glassford Street and Candleriggs
22nd – 26th July and 31st July – 2nd August – Merchant City Festival
Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading from 3pm on the 22nd July until 11.59pm on the 26th July
- Brunswick Street between its termination point (dead end) and Wilson Street
Prohibition of waiting, loading and unloading from 3pm on the 23rd July until 11.59pm on the 26th July, and from 3pm on the 30th July until 11.59pm on the 2nd August
- Bell Street between Candleriggs and Walls Street
- Brunswick Street for its full length
- Candleriggs for its full length
- Garth Street for its full length
- Hutcheson Street for its full length
- Wilson Street between Glassford Street and Candleriggs
Prohibition of vehicle movements 6.00am on the 23rd July until 11.59pm on the 26th July 2026
- Brunswick Street between its termination point (dead end) and Wilson Street
Prohibition of vehicle movements 6.00am on the 24th July until 11.59pm on the 26th July 2026, and from 6.00am on the 31st July until 11.59pm on the 2nd August
- Bell Street between Candleriggs and Walls Street
- Brunswick Street for its full length
- Candleriggs for its full length
- Garth Street for its full length
- Hutcheson Street for its full length
- Wilson Street between Glassford Street and Candleriggs
Chapter One - a New Chapter in Glasgow's Retail History
Chapter One – a new Chapter in Glasgow’s Retail History
Milly Cooke is writing another chapter in Glasgow’s retail history.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) opened its first bookshop in the country last November. It is the charity’s first presence in Glasgow city centre.
Located at Glasgow Cross, Chapter One has several thousand books for sale at an average of under a fiver each, plus a number of new titles. Stock and displays are refreshed regularly.
Customers can browse in a comfortable, relaxing setting over a cup of coffee or tea.
“We’re always looking for donations in aid of a great cause,” says Manager Milly, who’s originally from Exeter. “Our location in the heart of Merchant City is perfect, there’s a great buzz in the area, and we’re filling a gap by providing a stylish, spacious, welcoming place for people to choose their next read.”
CHSS is Scotland’s largest health charity. Every day in Scotland more than 30 people will have a stroke or heart attack, 16 will be diagnosed with heart failure and another 16 will be diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
Check out Chapter One on Instagram at chapter_one_CHSS or email trongateshop@chss.org.uk.
Meeting Minutes, 26 May 2026
Meeting Minutes, 26th May 2026
Attendance
| Community Cllrs | Scott Thornton; Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, Gordon Millar; David Cowan; Alice Cowan; Peter Hayman |
|---|---|
| Elected | Bailie Christy Mearns, Cllr Philip Braat |
| Guests | Ciaran Buchanan (Avenue Projects), Emma Hargreaves (Project Officer, City Deal), Aislinn Watters (Wills Bros Ltd), Robert Walker (Glasgow City Council) |
| Residents | RC, TD, MF, MG, PP |
| Online (Zoom) | Gary Atkinson, EM, AC, OG |
| Police Scotland | PC Chris Convery and PC Stevie Gemmell |
1. Welcome And Apologies
Chair Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Cllr Millar, Cllr Bolander, Gregor McIntryre (from MP John Grady’s Office), Community Councillors David Hughes and Rachel Angus.
2. Minutes Of Previous Meeting On 28th April 2026
Adoption proposed by Gordon Millar and seconded by Niall McColl.
The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.
3. Police Report
PC Convery noted that the crime statistics show that shoplifting was the main offence committed recently in our area. Violent crime, youth offending and the carrying of weapons reduced.
Football Celebrations
There is a dedicated enquiry team working on the disorder following Celtic’s Premiership win. There have been 15 arrests but this number is expected to increase.
Scott, and Tricia Fort of Calton CC, asked to meet the CEO of GCC but she said she was busy as Returning Officer for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Elections. She arranged for them to meet Denise Hamilton (Head of Events) and Colin Edgar (Head of GCC Public Relations) but that meeting yielded no progress on ways to avoid trouble after the last game of the season. The football celebrations costs a considerable amount of money including for police time. Last year there were 350 police officers, this year there were more. The GCC clean-up team was another expense and there are others.
The number of fans attending are fewer each year, it was down to around 3,000 this year. It is believed that the comments of the Celtic FC manager may have made a difference by asking them to “behave themselves.”
A resident noted how the police were better prepared this year and asked what lessons can learnt for next year? PC Gemmell explained the police have a review to see what worked and what didn’t.
Although the police have the right to close public houses, they believed this threshold was not reached on the day.
MCTCC agreed the police generally controlled the crowd in difficult circumstances. Likewise, we would like to give formal thanks to the GCC clean up team who carried out their work in quick time such that Trongate was made ready for the charity race the next day,
Niall noted how prior to the event the glass was removed from the bus stops on Trongate. It would be good if they could now be reinstalled.
Alcohol Sales
There is evidence that anti-social behaviour is made worse by the consumption of alcohol. It was noted that some outlets were selling drink irresponsibly and in large quantities. This has been brought to the attention of GCC. PC Convery will email the Licensing Department to see if all the sales done in a legal and responsible way.
Gary Atkinson, MCTCC’s Licensing Forum representative, has advised the Clerk to put this as an item on the next meeting agenda of the Forum to discuss if supermarkets and such like ought to be closed during football celebrations to reduce the amount of alcohol being consumed.
Scott noted how the police were not confiscating alcohol to those coming down High St but they did so to those from the Saltmarket direction.
Bailie Mearns asked if there were any licence visits on the day to see if they were overselling alcohol. It is believed there were none.
Dispersal Zone
Cllr Braat asked if it there was any discussion about extending the 3-month trial period. This will be reviewed.It was noted how the World Cup starts on 11th of June until the 19th July, followed by the Commonwealth Games at the end of July and early August.
Busking Complaints
The number of complaints about buskers has risen with the good weather. Cllr Braat has had numerous reports of them causing disturbance not only to the public but also to retail and office workers in the city centre. Gordon noted how other councils have applied exclusion zones to buskers. The Busking Code does not appear to be working and it is now time for review.
It would seem that GCC does not have an appetite for legislation to be put in place. In addition, the Scottish Parliament has decided there is no need for further legislation on busking. PC Convery recommended that people keep submitting reports about nuisance buskers to the police who will keep these reports should new powers be granted.
The Busking Code is just being ignored. There is only 1 sign on Buchanan Street.
Cllr Braat will email to ask GCC how many Community Enforcement Officers (CEO) there are as it is evident they are being relied upon for more issues. Being based in the East of Glasgow they are some distance from where they are needed most.
Cllr Braat noted the Busking Code is just for guidance and there are no powers attached to it.
E-bikes
The police have been stopping e-bike riders and discussing road safety issues.
Scott asked if the police should have more powers to control the many issues reported. PC Convery has observed that the situation is not getting better. He will talk to Sgt Wright about this. Scott asked about e-scooters. Although they are meant to be used on private land, they are becoming more common on our streets where they are illegal.
4. Avenues Update – Argyle St East
Emma Hargreaves gave an overview of the Avenues projects. More information can be found at:
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/11815/Argyle-Street-East
This project is split into 4 sections:-
Section 1 – Union St to Queen St
Section 2 – Queen St to Stockwell St
Section 3 – Stockwell St to Glasgow Cross
Section 4 – Glasgow Cross to Moir St
The Argyle St East Avenue project has been awarded to Wills Bros who will start work on the 16th of June and are due to complete Sections 1 and 2 by June 2028. Sections 3 and 4 should be complete by June 2029. Mr Buchanan explained how construction crews are only working on one section at a time and complete it before starting the next.
Ross expressed concerns about health and safety issues due to the heavy traffic and cycle lanes. Buses, cars, bikes would be converging in the same area, adding to hazards. Mr Buchanan noted this would be a 20mph zone and the cycle lane is segregated.. Planners had conducted road safety road audits from the design stage onwards.
On the issue of communications with the public, he said a public display in a shop on Argyle St had attracted few visitors. Public engagement will be via the website and updates to stakeholders such as MCTCC. The contact number and email of the construction company would be displayed on street signage. There will be an email update when the project starts with more detailed information.
Aslinn Watters of Wills Bros said contact details for the constructors are:-
Enquiries.argyleseastpr@willsbros.com; Telephone: 07554 841 332
Major work details, including maps, will be posted out to stakeholders such as interested residents.
Ross noted that at Cowcaddens, the last contract Wills Bros were involved with, pedestrians had to walk on the road.
Bailie Mearns asked if there is any opportunity to increase pedestrianisation on Trongate and surrounding streets. Mr Buchanan said here would be problems with extending this.
David Cowan asked about the last stretch of Argyle St West, at the Radisson Blue hotel, which was taking a long time to complete. It was explained there is a Scottish Water main feed pipe there that has ruptured and needs replaced. In order to fix this, SW had to dig up all the new works that had just been completed. They should be complete at the start of June. At this point the Avenues will have to come in and relay the roads. This is also the case in other areas of the Avenues project such as Duke St and Cathedral St.
The Stockwell St Avenues project, delayed due to the Union St fire, will start in August this year and the High St will start at the start early in 2027. Scott requested that traffic signage at the Clutha Pub junction should be changed as the current situation was confusing and dangerous.
The Ingram St bus gate is not part of the Avenues project. It is a pilot project and its effectiveness will be reviewed.
Ross has requested technical drawings for the project
5. Elected Member Reports
**Cllr Braat **said the public toilets contract ended in March, and a new contract is yet to be issued.
He has asked a GCC officer to act upon the litter in the Old Wynd area.
He has asked for the repainting of double yellow lines on Miller Street. He believes they are working in the Yorkhill area at present and will start the repainting sometime in July.
He contacted Environmental Health department regarding suitable times for recycling refuge collection times. He received a complaint about noise from a chainsaw being used at Ramshorn Graveyard to crop trees.
He has expressed his concerns to the police regarding anti-social behaviour in St Enoch Square. He has sent a link to MCTCC about the review of the Dispersal Zone as it now in its second month, with one month left to run.
He has asked for an update on the derelict Fox/Clyde Street site and been informed that the enforcement notice ought to be issued this week by GCC legal department. He will send a follow-up email to ensure this is being processed.
Bailie Mearns is meeting with GCC officials to discuss increasing pedestrianisation. They will use traffic modelling as a starting point. She continues to engage with groups who are promoting a greener city centre.
She is waiting to learn plans for Union St following the fire. There is a meeting with Network Rail to discuss what the challenges and opportunities are.
She has a meeting with Glasgow Street Aid next week who support people experiencing difficulties at night in the city.
There is a survey underway to consider how the old Saint Vincent St public toilets might be brought back into use. They are not deemed suitable to be used as public toilets. Scott noted how MCTCC has had no response from its submission to the Public Toilet Strategy submitted in February 2025.
Questions for Bailie Mearns:
Scott noted there has been another planning application by Homeless Project Scotland. What was happening with this?
Peter Haymans noted the fans on the roof of the City Halls were still creating a nuisance to nearby residents – even worse in finer weather. Bailie Mearns has enquired about this however there has been no reply from Glasgow Life. Residents noted their complaints about these are repeatedly marked as ‘closed’ when no resolution has been achieved. Cllr Braat will also email NRS about this.
A shopkeeper has noted the congregation of ebike riders outside their premises. Cllr Braat noted this is a wider issue and he anticipates GCC will issue guidance on this matter soon.
Gary and Scott have met with the management of the Merchant City Festival (MCF) on Thursday to discuss arrangements. This year it will cover two weekends:-
Friday 24th July to Sunday 26th July and
Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd of August.
There will be a meeting of our Community Engagement group to discuss options.
Scott and Ross had a walkabout with Cllrs Braat and Millar last week and noted the mess behind the wire fencing, behind the construction site on Osborne St and Old Wynd. Only the construction workers appear to have access to the site.
6. Follow-Up From Previous Meetings
There were no matters this month.
7. Local Place Plan (LPP)
David Hughes will give an update next month.
8. Planning
Ross Naismith had a meeting with Cllr Millar, Head of City Centre Regeneration, last week. They discussed the benefits of mature tree planning and agreed 5 possible new locations for this.
He is still waiting for details of the lighting design on George Square. He had a positive meeting about Trongate regeneration and the City Centre Strategy.
Ross was expecting to hear about the planning decision for Custom House Quay this month, but no news was received.
There is a planning application for 178 Trongate, at Hutchinson St. He has asked for clarification on what the current application is for. On the walkabout, he highlighted how the Stockwell St and Howard St area would benefit from upgrading. He is hoping to have a meeting with Praxis (owner of the St Enoch Centre) regarding this.
Cllr Millar is on holiday and when he returns he will engage with him about Ingram St, Candleriggs, and Queen St.
The Malocchio restaurant at 150 Ingram St have planning application underway to build a conservatory, which we have objected to.
The Osbourne St and Old Wynd site now has a new owner and they wish to build student accommodation. He is hoping to have a formal meeting with them.
Granite House has a new application presented which he will discuss at the mid-monthly meeting.
The application for serviced apartments, including the demolition of the old Annie Miller’s public house next to Pipeworkz ‘gentlemen’s sauna’ on Ropeworks/Metropole Lane, closes soon.
9. Licensing
Gordon attended the Licensing Committee in John St on 20th of May for DF Concerts (TRNSMT) to show the Friday night Scotland World cup game from 11pm to 1am on their “Big Screen”. MCTCC objected, as did other surrounding CCs.
However, the Licensing Committee approved the application. We have asked for a written explanation relating to the breach of the Council’s own criteria that late night extensions would only be given to venues which had preciously shown televised sports.
10. External Groups
David Cowan initiated a vote to advocate the establishment of the Glasgow Community Councils Federation (GCCF) which was passed. MCTCC will consider the details of the proposal in further detail at a later date.
11. Friends Of Ramshorn Graveyard (FoRG)
No report this month.
The tours are available on Eventbrite and can also be booked by emailing them at:
12. Treasurers Report
Gordon Millar (Treasurer) reported the MCTC bank balance at 26/5/26 was £9,461.79
Expenses this month were £178.80 for leaflets.
Outstanding film income is due from filming in Bell and Parnie Streets. We are holding £500 in reserve to pay towards the mural near the Social Hub.
13. AOCB
There has so far been no adverse response from the community to the filming of the Meantime production (Bell/Parnie Streets). Details have been posted on our Website.
MCTCC are in discussion with the Film Office regarding notifications. We received no prior notice of filming today on Virginia Place by Sky TV.
In June MCF will give a presentation and SAMH/ The Nook will give a presentation in July.
14. Date Of Next Meeting
Tuesday 30 June 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.
Candleriggs and Parnie St Filming - 25th June
Candleriggs and Parnie St Filming – 25th June
Candleriggs
Filming has been taking place in and around Glasgow city centre this month for a new six-part drama series for Sky TV called Meantime. Additional scenes are scheduled to be filmed at premises on Candleriggs between Ingram Street, Wilson Street and Bell Street Thursday 25th June 2026 between approximately 8am and 3pm.
CANDLERIGGS TRAFFIC CONTROL Thursday 25th June between 09.30am and 1.30pm
To film the scenes safely Glasgow City Council has granted permission to control the flow of traffic using a stop / go system operated by a traffic management company. Vehicle access will be maintained for deliveries although you may be asked to wait briefly while the camera is running. Pedestrian access will also be maintained to premises within Candleriggs.
PARKING SUSPENSIONS from Wednesday 24th June at 4pm to 8pm on Thursday 25th June 2026
The film company have been liaising with Glasgow City Council roads department who have given permission to suspend parking on Candleriggs both for safety of traffic control and to facilitate the parking of their technical vehicles.
Parnie St
The same production is due to come back for its final visit to Parnie Street, Osborne Street and Chisholm Street Thursday 25th June 2026 and this time, they will be working during the day over a much shorter period of time with filming taking place for around three to four hours between approximately 3pm and 7pm. The scene shows two people walking along Parnie Street and so plans have been revised to make things as simple as possible. This time the large motorhome vehicle will not be there, there will be no lighting machines, and the street will not be sprayed with water. Pedestrian access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times, though the location team may ask if people wouldn’t mind waiting for a few minutes sporadically for safety or to keep out of shot when the camera is running. The schedule on Thursday 25 June 2026 is expected to be: Preparation | Between 8am and 3pm Filming in Parnie Street | Between approx. 3pm and 7pm Reinstatement | Between 7pm and 8pm and again on Friday 26 June between approx. 8am and noon
PARKING AND ROAD CLOSURE
PARKING SUSPENSIONS | Parnie, Osborne and Chisholm Streets | Between 7am and 8pm on 25 June 2026
*Parnie Street and Chisholm Street will be in shot but if you have a car dating from 2015 or older, you are welcome to park it free of charge during the suspension times in Chisholm Street or on Parnie Street on the same side as Proactive Laser down to Saltmarket. Osborne Street | Equipment vehicles will be parked here to make sure they’re out of shot. Alternative resident parking | Bays have been reserved on both ends of Osborne Street at the junction with King Street.
ROAD CLOSURE | 25th June 2026
This has now been reduced to between 2pm and 8pm and the existing traffic signs will be updated. Business As Usual signs will be positioned in the street and licensed traffic management operatives and security will be present throughout for safety. If any resident or business has concerns, please contact the location team directly: Lloret MacKenna Dunn | Key Location Manager | locations@lloretdunn.com Roseleen McMenemy | Assistant Location Manager | roseleen@hotmail.co.uk Glasgow Film Office | info@glasgowfilm.com| 0141 287 0424
MCTCC Local Place Plan Published
Local Place Plan Published
MCTCC are delighted to announce that our Local Place Plan has been validated by Glasgow City Council. This marks the culmination of several months of effort by Merchant City and Trongate Community Council and the local community.
Read our Local Place Plan