28 . Glasgow Business November/December 2012
‘THE CITY IS READY FOR BUSINESS’
How proud are you of what Glasgow has achieved recently?
I am incredibly proud of the city in overcoming the problems which affected it post- industrialisation. Glasgow used to be blighted by the impact of the loss of industry and, indeed, a large segment of its population, with incredible changes taking place in the last 20 years.
What are your aspirations for the future of Glasgow City Centre?
We have huge aspirations for the future of the city centre and many groups are working to fulfil these. Indeed, activity within the city will never truly stop as we would not wish for the momentum to ever cease. Progress will always be happening, particularly since so many different parties have aims which they wish to work towards.
How important is the city centre to Glasgow?
We cannot overstate how important the city centre is to Glasgow. People come from all over the world to visit Scotland and one of the first things they see is our centre. For Glaswegians, it’s a place to meet, a space to relax, shop, learn or work. We want our city centre to continue to be a vibrant location which we can show off to the world. Atracting people to Glasgow is our goal and the city centre is vital to this.
How important is the City Centre Action Plan to addressing issues which affect the city centre?
Te City Centre Action plan is extremely important with work already progressing at an intense rate. Our predecessors took many steps to improve the city centre, particularly with regards to public perception of the space. Tey cleaned the buildings,
Bailie Liz Cameron gives her views on the potential of the city centre and more
showcased the architecture and launched initiatives such as Scotland with Style and the Style Mile, which have been highly successful. Now it’s time for Act II of the action plan, by refurbishing George Square, benefiting from the Tax Incremental Financing scheme and using money for the public realm. Indeed, the Style Mile shouldn’t be the sole focus, with peripheral areas also needing addressed. Other big issues which the plan addresses are connectivity, industry and education. I’d like to see Sauchiehall Street being
used for arts and
cultural events and overall, people
What is the role of the business community in making Glasgow city centre successful?
Much of what the business community does is within the city centre, so it just seems to fit that
having the opportunity to enjoy their public spaces.
What, in your view, are the city centre’s biggest assets?
Glasgow is overflowing with worthy assets. Te city has a bustling retail sector which is extremely atractive to tourists, particularly those in search of style. In my view, the city really has it all – within a nicely compacted sphere. Our Victorian architecture is still intact as is the Medieval Cathedral. Te historical Merchant City is now a cultural focal point, acting as vibrant hub for nightlife. Renewables are now a big part of Glasgow’s landscape, with the Technology and Innovation Centre (University of Strathclyde) and Catapult projects edging towards completion.
Bailie Liz Cameron
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