The current City Centre Strategy was developed in response to the economic crash of 2008 and its legacy, changes in the retail and commercial office sectors, and the universal impact of online retailing, and key identified aims for the city centre included issues such as increased investment, development, footfall and inclusive growth.

Two major proposals arose out of the City Centre Strategy 2014-19, which was delivered by the council and public and private sector partners:

• The creation of a District Regeneration Framework for the city centre’s nine districts, to develop and build on the unique identity, characteristics, opportunities and constraints of each; and
• The £115 million Avenues programme, a major investment in public realm made possible through the allocation of Glasgow City Region City Deal funding. Additional recent funding from Sustrans and Scottish Natural Heritage means that 21 Avenues will be developed in the coming years.

A range of projects has been delivered so far through the strategy, including Sauchiehall Avenue; the City Centre Mural Trail; the High Street Area Strategy; the City Centre Commercial Waste project (which saw over 1200 unsightly waste bins removed from the area’s streets); the Autism Aware City Centre, City Centre Child Safe, Changing Places and Nite Zone projects; the Next Bike cycle hire scheme; improvement works at Garnethill Park; the Good Food Glasgow street food initiative; the Sauchiehall & Garnethill District Regeneration Framework; the annual Style Mile Christmas Carnival and the Glasgow Loves Christmas Campaign. A City Centre Manager has also been appointed by the council to act as a point of contact for businesses and residents.

Other ongoing projects developed through the strategy include the George Square Conversation to inform its future design; the plan to redevelop High Street Station; the City Centre Lane Strategy; the City Centre Living Strategy; a Contemporary Art Trail; a Begging Strategy; and district regeneration frameworks for a number of the city centre districts.

Consumer research has shown that key benefits of Glasgow city centre are the range and quality of shops; its atmosphere; and the food and drink option available.

Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce carried out research in mid-2018, which found that the city centre strategy and the officers working on it had developed projects that will deliver better infrastructure and operational improvements; better utilise space, and increased the ability to deal with issues such as cleansing and anti-social behaviour.

Key city centre statistics in recent years include an 11% population and 7% employment increase between 2014-17; a 19% increase in local enterprises, a 36% increase in business administration and support services, an 18% increase in professional, scientific and technical services.

However statistics revealed that there are 30 fewer retail enterprises and 75 fewer local units used for retail - although the city centre continues to perform relatively well in this sector; an increase in annual tourist visitors of around 210,000 between 2014-18; the night-time economy continues to be successful; and hotel development increasing at a rate eight times the UK average between 2014-19. The city centre retains its position as the UK’s biggest shopping destination outside London’s West End.

The development of a city centre strategy for Glasgow between 2020-25 is still in progress, and this will be refined through feedback on resident, business and visitor priorities and in response to local and national strategic objectives.

The scale of development activity gives strong grounds for optimism during this period, and the transformation of the city centre’s physical environment is expected to yield benefits in terms of footfall, dwell-time, visitor activity, and investment.

The strategy is likely to continue to focus on promoting sustainability and resilience alongside inclusive economic growth, maintaining a broad approach that supports all sectors in the city centre.