Shawlands businesses vote in favour of BID proposals
April 27 2017
The five-year initiative aims to increase foot traffic through streetscape enhancement such as new lighting, renovated shopfronts and street cleaning grants. This will be backed up by a PR campaign to communicate the changes beyond the area.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council commented: “A council spokesman said: "The creation of a Shawlands BID offers the chance for this vibrant area of Glasgow to make even more of its fantastic resources. Shawlands town centre is undoubtedly one of Glasgow's most attractive destinations for shops, pubs and restaurants, and this latest news keeps up the momentum for Shawlands' regeneration."
The Shawlands BID will dovetail with ongoing regeneration work and is expected to operate from June this year through to 2022.
11 Comments
#2 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 27 Apr 2017 at 14:27 PM
why haven't the shop owners maintained their properties? A law requiring shop owners to change their window displays once every two months regardless of whether the shop is empty or not and outlaw shutters which obscure the windows would turn shopping areas into potential art galleries and create a new demand for shop displays artists. It's time for property owners to realise that with ownership comes responsibility to maintain.
#3 Posted by Alfo on 27 Apr 2017 at 14:48 PM
Sometimes, the comments on this website are laughable.
Shawlands isn't 30 years behind Byres Road, and don't forget Byres Road has its own share of 'fantastically ugly' buildings, i.e. the Waitrose building/flats.
Also, how do you propose omitting cars from a largely residential neighbourhood?
Laws to ensure shop displays are changed every two months, seriously? How would that work; employ more of GCC's finest Community Enforcement Officers, doling out random fines?
Shawlands isn't 30 years behind Byres Road, and don't forget Byres Road has its own share of 'fantastically ugly' buildings, i.e. the Waitrose building/flats.
Also, how do you propose omitting cars from a largely residential neighbourhood?
Laws to ensure shop displays are changed every two months, seriously? How would that work; employ more of GCC's finest Community Enforcement Officers, doling out random fines?
#4 Posted by Fush And Chups on 27 Apr 2017 at 15:26 PM
Agree with #3. However I am in favour of removing the ugly external roller shutters. If the shop owners truly feel that they want this additional level of security, and quite honestly I believe it's not needed at all, then internal link type shutters should be used.
#5 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 27 Apr 2017 at 18:25 PM
I agree with #3. Shawlands was very much on the up with new developments, interesting shops with very good restaurants and cafes until the onset of the credit crunch.
The BID is laudable and I wish it well, but the only way private money will pour into a neighbourhood is if people have decent disposable incomes. When incomes endure a decade of shrinking, home ownership declines and greater portions of salaries are spent on providing pensions for private landlords then you're fighting a losing battle.
The BID is laudable and I wish it well, but the only way private money will pour into a neighbourhood is if people have decent disposable incomes. When incomes endure a decade of shrinking, home ownership declines and greater portions of salaries are spent on providing pensions for private landlords then you're fighting a losing battle.
#6 Posted by Charlie_ on 27 Apr 2017 at 18:26 PM
The shawlands centre has to go, really
#7 Posted by Andrew Hepburn on 27 Apr 2017 at 21:34 PM
Glasgow City Council has been responsible over many decades for the wholesale vandalism of many many fine buildings. This includes Shawlands which once was an attractive area. They approved the building of Shawlands Arcade one of the ugliest constructions anywhere in Scotland. To read the quote from the Councilor beggars belief. He or she obviously hasn't visited Kilmarnock Road....ever.
#8 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 27 Apr 2017 at 23:24 PM
The requirement to change window displays every six months is easy to enforce. Owners simply take a photograph with a date on it and log it on the online public register of window displays which would be a public register and largely self policed as interested citizens would keep an interested eye on it and report abuse to the Keeper of the register who would have powers to charge a substantial penalty for dishonest submissions.
#9 Posted by Billy on 4 May 2017 at 05:34 AM
The Arcade is the blot on the landscape. Demolition and maybe a new civic square as a focal point for the area may be the way forward with a strict criteria for quality outlets in the redeveloped area. New street lighting, furniture , trees and paving would also make the area more atttractive and encourage footfall. More than a sticking plaster is required. I don't live in the area but I would be more likely to visit for a change if the destination had more appeal. At the moment , a very busy road, packed with potential passing customers with no incentive to stop and spend money.
#10 Posted by Stephen on 5 May 2017 at 16:24 PM
I lived in Shawlands for a number of years until moving recently. I found DRS to be very positively engaged in trying to improve the area, specifically David Dunlop's team who I thought were magnificent when I met and spoke to them at consultation events (even if I'm not as keen on the lights outside the Shed as they are!). Credit where it's due. The (Collective drafted) works to the cross will be very welcome and eventually the Centre will be redeveloped, but it's in private ownership so GCC can only do so much. Public realm works have already improved the paving and many of the shop owners and their tenants do seem to have genuine aspirations for improvement and the togetherness to make it happen. Strathbungo has also had recent (5 year) resurgence which impacts on Shawlands. I'm optimistic for the area.
#11 Posted by Smithy on 17 May 2017 at 09:01 AM
I've lived in shawlands for 10 months and in that time alone I have seen significant change for the better.. i.e the new pavements put in down kilmarnock road, a few restaurants opening up.. What must take priority IMO is the renovation of the Shawlands Arcade, for it is a horrendous building and really contrasts now with the fancy restaurants opposite and further up the road. Any shops lying dormant (i.e the former Betting shop next to the Stirling Maxwell) must be offered to businesses at encouraging rates.
Post your comments
Read next: EMA Architects feel the love in Paisley
Read previous: £150m Aberdeenshire leisure destination secures green light
Back to April 2017
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
News Archive
Search News
Features & Reports
For more information from the industry visit our Features & Reports section.
Eh? it's about 30 years behind Byres Rd. It's full of crap poundstores, charity shops and the fantastically ugly Shawlands Centre. I'm all for bigging up and Shawlands really does need it - but civic porkies about its present state doesn't help. Yeah, there are good wee indy shops and some decent restaurants but lets be truthful - it's pretty manky. Too many cars for a start . How about something radical like...trees, seats and no go zones for cars.