Work begins on student flats covering up iconic Billy Connolly mural
The 50ft tribute portrait of the 'Big Yin' by artist John Byrne was unveiled in Glasgow's Osborne Street in 2017.
The portrait, which was created alongside two others to celebrate the comedian's 75th birthday, has since become a tourist attraction and formed part of the city's mural trail.
However, construction on an 11-storey student accommodation on the site, which has been empty for several years, will see the mural covered up.
In 2023, Nova Living, speaking on behalf of the developers, said they looked at ways of retaining the art – but it would not 'be possible'.
Glasgow City Council pointed to past murals that have been removed due to redevelopment in the city – confirming that artworks have always been created to bring 'temporary life' to sites.
Objections were launched to the development by Merchant City and Trongate Community Council.
Tour guides say the mural is a favourite among visitors to the city every day.
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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Liam Gallagher hypes up Scots Oasis fans on eve of first Murrayfield reunion gig
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
We've travelled 4,000 miles and spent thousands to see Oasis in Edinburgh – ‘wild' Scottish fans are the best
will take to the stage in Edinburgh on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. Noel and Liam Gallagher will take to the stage in Edinburgh on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. SUPERSONIC FAN We've travelled 4,000 miles and spent thousands to see Oasis in Edinburgh – 'wild' Scottish fans are the best Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Hundreds of delighted fans from across the globe turned up at an Oasis pop-up shop to buy merchandise to wear to the band's highly anticipated Edinburgh gigs. One couple spent thousands travelling from St. Paul, Minnesota, in the US were revelling in the atmosphere as they spent more than £400 on T-shirts and tops at the store. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Noel and Liam Gallagher will perform at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium Credit: The Mega Agency 4 Denisa from Florence is attending the Oasis gig Credit: Michael Schofield Ice hockey coach Teddy Cheesebourgh, 51, and photographer wife Carle, 50, got married in Scotland in 2003 - and spent £150 each on tickets to see them in Edinburgh. And the pair - who have already seen the band six times - can't wait to catch them at Murrayfield on Saturday. Carle added: "I can't even explain how excited we are. We were married here 22 years ago and we put in for the lottery and we got it." Teddy said: "We've come four thousand miles. We've been waiting for this for more than a decade. "The last time we saw them was in Minnesota in 2008. With three guitarists and a bass guitar they are going to plug in and just hammer it. "To be at Murrayfield to be with the wild Scottish fans. We can't wait." Denisa, 28, a designer from Florence, Italy, and has travelled to Scotland with pals to see the band's first Scottish gig. She said: "It's my dream to see them play Don't Look Back in Anger. It's my favourite. I bought a T-shirt and an amazing bucket hat from the shop. I spent £60." Jordan Malone, 25, a salesman from Bridgeton, Glasgow, has spent £370 on merchandise from the shop for friends and relatives. He said: "My mum and dad went to see them in the nineties and two thousands. Half the World Away is my favourite. I'm absolutely buzzing. It's something that I didn't think I would ever get to see." First look inside Oasis' Murrayfield shows as incredible drone images reveal stage set-up Carys Edwards, 25, and her brother, flood risk engineer Garin Edwards, 27, travelled from Aberdare in Wales for Friday's gig. Garin, who is due to be a father later this year bought a baby grow during a £180 spending spree at the shop. Carys said: "We paid just under £397 each for the tickets and £700 each for flights and accommodation. They are our band. We plan to get there early." Garin added: "I've liked them all my life and I never thought it would happen. I think it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity." Train driver Roger Eriksson and his wife market manager Linnea, both 38, are from the north of Sweden and went to the shop to collect a VIP package that came with their tickets and spent £100 in the store. 4 Teddy and Charlie Cheesebourgh from the USA Credit: Michael Schofield 4 Jordan Malone pictured in Edinburgh Credit: Michael Schofield They are due to go to Saturday night's show. Roger said: "There are few artists that really matter and they are one of them. "We are glad we ended up here in Edinburgh. People have been waiting for this to happen for a long time." Linnea added: "When you go into this store, people are anticipating. I'm looking forward to hearing Live Forever." Holly Ford, 31, a veterinary nurse, from Kennoway, Fife, is going with her partner, roofer Connor Crombie, 27, to Friday's gig. She spent £40 in the store. She said: "We are excited. We've been listening to Oasis in the car all the time. I'm a lifelong Oasis fan. It was about £600 for four tickets." Connor added: "There are about fifteen of us going. It will be good. I'm excited." Fans also turned up to a merchandise shop at Murrayfield. Oral surgeon Melanie Donfrancesco, 45, from Corstorphine, Edinburgh, turned up at the venue with her sister Stephanie Enright, 47, who has travelled from Killarney, Ireland, to see the band. They were there to buy rugby merchandise. Melanie said: "I didn't see them in the nineties and regretted it. "I couldn't let this concert go by without making the effort to be there. We realised when we left they were selling Oasis merchandise." Louise Ramsay, 48, from Roseburn, Edinburgh, lives next door to the stadium and spent £60 on a bucket hat and T-shirt at the venue. Her tickets were £165 each. She said: "I think it's such a big gig and they've got such brilliant music. Their songs will take you back - everybody will have a memory. "The atmosphere will be absolutely brilliant."
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Oasis fan comments 'snobby' as council chiefs blasted ahead of Murrayfield gigs
Ian Murray MP has hit back at City of Edinburgh Council. Remarks by Edinburgh council officials suggesting Oasis fans are old, raucous and overweight were 'snobby', the Scottish Secretary has said. Ian Murray suggested the comments, made before the band's sold-out reunion tour, were 'classist'. He said it was part of a wider issue, referencing the alcohol ban at football matches, which is not in place for rugby, which he also described as 'snobby'. Speaking at the Fringe, comedian Matt Forde told Mr Murray the council was not 'excited' about Oasis after it suggested the city should be 'prepared for an influx of overweight, middle-aged men who drink too much'. Mr Murray joked the description 'sounds like a full council meeting', before adding: 'I think it's snobby. I mean, Murrayfield is a great example. "You can go and see Scotland versus the All Blacks on a Saturday at three o'clock and get as ratted as you want sitting watching the rugby, and people do, they spend most of their time at the bar. 'And I remember my team, Hearts, played Celtic there the following day on the Sunday, when Hampden was out of use for the Commonwealth Games, and there was a complete ban on drinking in the stands for the football fans. "That's just classist and snobbery.' Asked if he wanted to bring back drinking at football stadiums, the Scottish Secretary joked it was either that 'or not have rugby drinking'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In June, Edinburgh council came under fire from Oasis fans, and the band itself, after safety briefings showed officials' concerns about the crowds descending on the city for the group's performance at Murrayfield, which clashes with the Fringe. One note from the documents showed council officials warning that 'middle-aged men take up more room, consider this when working out occupancy'. Another detailed 'concern about crowds of Oasis on weekends as they are already rowdy and the tone of the band'. It added: 'Concerned about the safety of the Fringe and its performers. Many performers are considering not attending for that weekend.' One document suggested there would be 'medium to high intoxication' at the concert, and to expect a 'substantial amount of older fans', but added there had been 'minimal arrests' at recent events involving either of the Gallagher brothers. Responding on social media at the time, Liam Gallagher said: 'To the Edinburgh council I've heard what you said about Oasis fans and quite frankly your attitude f****** stinks I'd leave town that day if I was any of you lot.' In a second post, he added: 'I'd love to see a picture of all the people on the Edinburgh council bet there's some real stunning individuals.'
