£20million contract for George Square renovation awarded
Hoardings have already started going up around George Square, which is scheduled to re-open in the Autumn of 2026.
On Friday it was announced that the contract for the works, which also includes Avenues work on North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place; has been awarded to Rainton Construction.
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The contract is worth £20.499m and work will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be complete in the Spring of 2027.
The first phase of the work, which will involve removing the 11 bronze statues in the square for conservation and restoration, will take place between May 11 and 23.
The contracted work to transform the square will then get under way the following month.
The new design for the eastern part of the Square responds to the formal uses connected with the City Chambers and the Cenotaph; and a further raised green area will be created in front of the Cenotaph.
The western part of the Square will support more informal uses with space for cafes to spill out on to, and a generous paved area for events.
The new tree species to be planted in George Square and the surrounding Avenues through this project include 'Robin Hill' Pink Juneberry; 'Frans Fontaine' Hornbeam; 'Forest Pansy' Redbud; Oleaster; 'Autumn Gold' Gingko; Burgundy Sweetgum; a couple of Rowan species; a number of Flowering Cherry species; and Pin Oak.
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Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
First historic statue removed from George square today
All 11 statues will be taken down and put into storage for cleaning and restoration work during the redevelopment of the square. When the work is complete, they will be returned to the square. READ NEXT:More than 50 Orange parades in one day, the biggest of the year Today, workers carefully removed the Robert Burns statue from its plinth in the square. (Image: Colin Mearns) The other statues, including the horseback monuments of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, will be taken down over the next 10 days. The Walter Scott Monument in the centre of the square and the Cenotaph will remain in place throughout the works. The square has now been closed off with hoardings erected to allow workers to start the redevelopment. READ NEXT: We want to start a family but we're stuck in Glasgow hotel with rats After being lifted from the plinths, the statue of Scotland's national poet was wrapped in blankets for protection and later wrapped in an opaque black plastic and placed on a low-loader truck before being transported to storage. (Image: Colin Mearns) The statues will be removed and restored by Rupert Harris Conservation, a leading company in the field of statue and metalwork conservation. The George Square and surrounding Avenues project is part of the wider Avenues programme, aimed at making the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected. (Image: Colin Mearns) The statues conservation work sits alongside the main contract for George Square and the surrounding Avenues, with the main contract - worth £20.499million - supported by £8.815million Glasgow City Deal City Region funding from both the Scottish and UK Governments. Work on the main contract is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
£20m contract for George Square renovation awarded
The project is part of the wider Avenues programme, which is making the city centre "more attractive, greener, better connected and a great place to stay and do business". The Avenues programme is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with funding provided by the Scottish and UK Governments, and Glasgow City Council. Each Government is contributing funding of £8.815million towards the main contract for the George Square and surrounding Avenues project. The contract award - worth £20.499million - covers not only the George Square works, but also the creation of Avenues at North Hanover Street (between Cathedral Street and George Square); George Street (between Montrose Street and George Square); West George Street (between Nelson Mandela Place and George Square); Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. READ MORE: Contract worth over £20m for George Square renovation awarded 'A new George Square:' how the M8 cap would actually work When George Square will be closed as timetable confirmed by Glasgow City Council The works will be done in two phases, with George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due for completion in August 2026, and Cochrane Street and the sections of George Street and North Hanover Street to be complete in the Spring of 2027. The work on George Square will deliver "high-quality stone throughout; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a raised lawn platform; new trees species will be planted to add to the existing Norway Maple and Cherry trees in the Square; new seating to add to the remembrance benches; and feature lighting". According to the council, the final design of George Square, Glasgow's foremost civic space, was informed by "significant" public engagement and stakeholder consultation - the new design for the eastern part of the Square responds to the formal uses connected with the City Chambers and the Cenotaph; and a further raised green area will be created in front of the Cenotaph. The western part of the Square will support more informal uses with space for cafes to spill out on to, and a generous paved area for events. The installation of hoarding around the Square is ongoing, with panels showcasing Glasgow's achievements and qualities along with the future vision for both George Square and the city soon to appear. West George Street Avenue image (Image: Glasgow City Council) Between May 12-23, the 11 bronze statues in the Square will be removed - for conservation and restoration - before their return to the Square in 2026. The new tree species to be planted in George Square and the surrounding Avenues through the project include 'Robin Hill' Pink Juneberry; 'Frans Fontaine' Hornbeam; 'Forest Pansy' Redbud; Oleaster; 'Autumn Gold' Gingko; Burgundy Sweetgum; a couple of Rowan species; a number of Flowering Cherry species; and Pin Oak. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project. "Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw. "Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.'
STV News
01-05-2025
- STV News
Plans for £2.5m water feature in George Square abandoned due to budget gap
A £20 million deal to transform George Square and turn surrounding streets into avenues has been signed off as a £2.5 million water feature is dumped due to budget constraints. New designs show West George Street and Cochrane Street adjoining the square re-invented as avenues with far more pavement space and new trees and plants. A meeting heard there was no spare cash to pay for a planned water feature in George Square and that it would pose a risk to the contract but one councillor said it would not ease people's 'disappointment.' Asking how much a water feature would cost, Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutcheson said: 'There has been press attention about the exclusion of the water feature in recent days. I understand there is a tight budget for this. I can see there is a £1.5 million gap in the budget.' An official said: 'We estimated a water feature would cost around £2.5 million in capital expenditure notwithstanding the ongoing recurring revenue costs. 'Because we knew it was a significant cost we excluded it.' He pointed out 'clearly there isn't a spare £2.5 million.' Speaking at the contracts and property committee, he added: 'The introduction of a water feature presented a significant level of risk to the contract because of the underground nature and all the stuff you need to do.' He said the main reason for abandoning the plan was due to the 'financial deficit in the budget' but there was also a significant risk. Scottish Greens councillor Dan Hutchison said: 'I understand there is sound logic but I don't think it will help the disappointment that people will feel but yeah there is only so much you can do. Thankfully in Glasgow it rains half the time so you get a water feature from the sky anyway.' Councillors awarded the £20.499 million contract to Rainton Construction with work to begin in June. The square is expected to be finished by August 2026. Hoardings are currently up as preparations are underway and the 11 statues are to be removed for restoration later this month. As well as covering the George Square works, the contract will also see the creation of avenues at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. Plans for the square include informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas, a raised lawn platform, new feature lighting and seating to add to the remembrance benches and high-quality stone throughout according to the council. New trees will also be planted. The western part of the square will have a more informal design for people to use with space for cafés to spill out on to, and a paved area for events. The Avenues programme is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with funding provided by the Scottish and UK Governments, and Glasgow City Council. Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is a huge milestone in the transformation of George Square. The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project. 'Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw. 'Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
