Task force set up to aid city centre Coronavirus recovery

A new business group is being set up to tackle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Glasgow's city centre economy.

It comes as the West of Scotland heads into another 3 week lockdown from 6pm tonight - forcing all non-essential businesses to close.

The task force - set up by the council and the Chamber of Commerce - is making the case for extra support for Glasgow.

Amongst the issues to be considered for the Plan are targeted business support including for the night-time economy and retail, business engagement in recovery planning, access and transport links and creation of a joined-up campaign to encourage access to the city centre.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Councillor Angus Millar said:  “The ongoing impact of COVID-19 has created new challenges for Glasgow’s city centre and exacerbated existing pressures.  It is important that we are able to bring together key voices from the public and private sectors as we seek to respond to the immediate issues and develop a renewed longer-term strategic vision for the city centre.  

"It was in recognition of the city centre’s importance to Glasgow’s economic success that the establishment of a City Centre Taskforce was a key recommendation of the Glasgow Economic Recovery Group when it convened this year, and I am pleased that we are now able to take this work forward.

"The Taskforce will develop proposals for actions that will help the city centre both during the pandemic and in the future and provide a voice to ensure that we provide and receive the resources that we need to support its recovery and future growth.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Glasgow Chamber chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “Glasgow City Centre is the economic hub of the city region and city centres in general have been particularly badly hit by this economic and social crisis given the volume of footfall and consumption-reliant businesses.  

"Key issues include lack of the usual footfall from office workers, students, visitors, shoppers, diminishing financial support for those businesses unable to open such as non-essential offices and nightclubs, and city centre operations to support business restart.

We are in what would usually be the Golden Quarter for retail and consumption businesses, accounting for the majority of profit generated for the year. After being in full shutdown for over 3 months, this final quarter is even more important for business survival. New tiered lockdowns and, particularly with restrictions on travel between local authority areas, make this even more challenging.

“The City Centre Task Force brings together key people from the public and private sector and I’m confident that it will start the process of tackling these pressing issues for the city and its economy.”

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