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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Is gentrification coming for The Barras?
As an illustrator with a penchant for cityscapes and architecture, Liz spends most of her time documenting the urban landscape through plein air sketching. Though she has drawn Glasgow landmarks like the People's Palace and the Winter Gardens countless times, it's the 'grungy corners' that fascinate her the most. The places dotted with wheelie bins, the alleyways, and architecture with buddleia sprouting from its crevices. 'I even quite like Heras fencing,' she says. The Barras and its wider surroundings are filled with inspiration. 'I really like the interest of where the old bits and the new bits are juxtaposed,' she says. Artist Liz Reid pictured on Suffolk Street at The Barras. (Image: Colin Mearns) Artist Liz Reid pictured in her studio. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) The Barrowland Ballroom and the sprawling Barras Market below have for more than a century been the place to experience the true essence of Glaswegian life. Music, dancing, drinking, a wee bargain. Gritty, but always full of surprises and never to be underestimated. It has had its ups and downs over the years, but projects to improve the surrounding area are gathering pace, and young, hip traders are building a presence within. Can 'The World Famous Barras Market' maintain its identity while keeping up with the times? 'I don't see it as being gentrification,' Liz says. 'I see it as a renaissance.' Liz says the gentrification accusation comes from the wave of artists and makers popping up in the market, rather than just the 'old-style' stalls. But it wouldn't survive without adapting. 'You've got to change your ways or die,' she says. Born in Paisley, Liz returned to Glasgow in the nineties after attending art school in Dundee. The Barras was a 'pretty sad place' then, somewhere you would go to at the weekends to pick up second-hand clothes or pirated discs. But these days, the market is hitting a nice balance, she says. You can still rummage through 'all sorts of old junk'. There are antiques, places to get nice teacups or vintage clothes, James Bond posters or batteries for your smoke detector. 'It's a really good mix between the new things, but it hasn't taken away the character, which I think is still very much the same,' she says. Plus, there is mutual respect between the new and old traders. There may be trendy coffee shops popping up, like Thomson's Coffee or Outlier down the road, but Liz points out that they are still independent. 'It's not big chains like Starbucks or Costa,' she says. She thinks having these outlets is inspiring people to venture further east from the city centre. More foot traffic means more trade. Plus, it makes it feel like a safer area to live and work in. Chris Butler, manager of Barras Market, says this area of the East End has lain dormant for a long period of time. It's only now that people are starting to realise this area, with its proximity to the city centre, is an 'untapped commodity'. But could that trigger gentrification? 'I would never use that word,' Chris says. Bars in and around the Gallowgate that were once Celtic pubs or associated 'with some kind of rogue element' 15 to 20 years ago have been transformed. 'They're now bars where you can take your dog, take your family, have a meal,' he says. 'I don't think it's gentrification, I think people are actually just realising what they've got on their own doorstep and a lot of businesses are seeing that potential.' He uses The Gate as an example. The cocktail bar is frequently cited as one of the best in the UK, but when owner Andy Gemmell launched in 2019, Chris says people told him he was nuts to open in the Gallowgate. To this day, you are lucky to find a seat in the bar most nights of the week. Walking east from Glasgow's city centre along the Gallowgate, the change is impossible to ignore. An area once plagued by the reputation for having a worse life expectancy than a war-torn Iraq, the Calton has seen a surge of urban regeneration in the last 13 years. Pale beige brick apartment buildings peek out from behind the original tenements as previously derelict land is reborn under various projects, like the Calton Area Development Framework, Calton-Barras five-year Action Plan, and the Collegelands Calton Barras (CCB) project. Calton Village (Image: Supplied) What is happening around The Barras, also classified as Glasgow's 'Inner East', is regeneration rather than gentrification, a senior council official says. The difference between the changes here and, say, somewhere like Tower Hamlets in London, is that most of the new housing is cropping up in collaboration with housing associations. Many of the new apartments are considered 'affordable', with 'social' or 'mid-market' rents. Developments like Little Dovehill and Calton Village are filling in the gaps. Rather than coming down from above and opposing development in the area, the council sees their efforts more as taking away barriers and assisting growth. While the efforts are by no means complete, the area has come a long way since 2012. In the run-up to the 2016 Commonwealth Games, work was done to improve the public realm in what was considered a 'gateway to the East End'. Glasgow City Council took responsibility for the areas that urban regeneration company Clyde Gateway did not take on, and the Development Deficit Grant Scheme helped venues like Barras Art and Design (BAaD) and Saint Luke's get off the ground. The next big project will be the large-scale redevelopment of the historic Meat Market on Duke Street, thanks to a £4.48 million City Deal grant. Meanwhile, a £95 million private development at Collegelands has also been given the go-ahead. It will see an 11-storey student accommodation block and 147 build-to-rent flats spring up at Hunter Street. The streetscape connecting Central Station to Glasgow Cross is also set to be revamped as part of the wider Avenues Project. 'There has been a tremendous amount of regeneration in Glasgow's 'Inner East' in recent years, led by the investment in and around the Barras – which we saw as the gateway between the city centre and the East End,' says Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Housing, Development, Built Heritage and Land Use at [[Glasgow City Council]]. 'This regeneration has brought not only new venues, businesses and public realm in and around the Barras, but a significant amount of new housing and investment in the wider area.' Key developments, including the Meat Market, Bellgrove, Tureen Street, Collegelands and the Avenues Plus project at Duke Street and John Knox Street, will continue the area's transformation, he says. Plans for the Barrowland sign. (Image: SYSCO) Barras Market itself, steeped in nostalgia for Glaswegians, young and old, has seen its own regeneration. There are even plans to erect a huge LED screen to the right of the iconic Barrowland sign to 'enhance and develop the building for the future' with modern technology, according to planning documents submitted by the owners, Margaret McIver Ltd. Chris says the area is nothing like when he worked at the Barrowland Ballroom 30 years ago. 'It's a totally different place.' The pandemic was a historic low for the market, but there is a new kind of optimism, he says. It has become a jumping-off point for new independent merchants and makers, a place to test the waters before taking the plunge and opening up a shopfront somewhere in the city. 'It's a really good launching pad,' says Chris. 'And the new traders can learn a lot from the guys who have been here for 30, 40 years.' Chris adds that the older traders are more 'clued in' than people give them credit for. And being able to browse Labubus and bric-a-brac side by side has added a whole new texture to the market hall. 'These guys that have been with us all these years, they grow with us,' he says. 'They aren't dinosaurs; they have moved with the times. Week on week, when these older traders see what's going on in the market, with the young people. They're probably more hip and aware of trends and what's happening out with The Barras than us.' While it still has the 'oldy-worldy market feel', Barrowlands is a massive brand these days, Chris adds. It has also created an atmosphere that encourages families and visitors to spend an entire day at the market – eating street food and browsing stalls for hours, rather than just popping in to grab a bag of whelks. 'We want people to come down and feel that element of excitement when they come down here, to expect the unexpected. That was the way it was with The Barras years ago, and hopefully that's the way we have become now.' As someone who captures Glasgow's ever-changing urban landscape, is there anything particular she finds herself gravitating towards time and again to capture? She says her favourite subject to draw is the Barrowland neon sign. 'I like it better in the daytime when it's not illuminated because you can see all the rusty wires and tubes of the neon and all the stars,' she says. 'It totally is so iconic.' How does she feel about the plans to revamp the sign? Liz gives a careful smile after a short pause, suggesting she would rather not say. Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
How themed markets bring in a new crowd at the Barras
'Stay tuned for that,' he adds, stressing each consonant with a theatrical flourish. 'Meanwhile, peruse your wonderful traders selling decadent delights and whimsical wonders. Have a great night.' Dreich is an understatement. At 5pm as traders were putting the final touches on their stalls, it was as if a bucket had been tipped over in the heavens. The rain was not so much falling in drops as sloshing down in a great continuous curtain of water. For an hour, it poured down. I joined a cluster of photographers beneath the canopy of the stage in a bid to escape the deluge. Paul Puppet looked a little worried, curling the end of his handlebar moustache as he surveyed the stalls. MC Paul Puppet at The Barras. (Image: GT) Moulin Rouge Night Market at The Barras. (Image: GT) Moulin Rouge Night Market at The Barras. (Image: GT) 'This is coming in more handy than I ever imagined,' he says, waving his cane. He uses it to prod a belly of water forming in the blue tarp above our heads. It sends a huge wave of rainwater gushing over the side of the stage, dangerously close to his equipment. The Moulin Rouge night market is the latest in a string of themed takeover nights at the Barras Market in the East End. The theme 'explores the decadence and delights of being yourself', the perfect way to kick off Glasgow's Pride weekend (which culminated with a huge celebration at the Barrowlands on the Saturday). Read more Barras Reborn: The Barras has become a 'real hub' for Glasgow's Pride. 'The market itself has gotten more and more for everybody as the years have gone on,' Paul Puppet says. 'It moves with the times. Ten years ago, you would not have put Pride, Moulin Rouge and Barras Market in the same sentence. That's pretty exciting, in and of itself.' Themed markets at The Barras are relatively new. The market was hit hard during the pandemic, but the place where you can get anything has a knack for trying anything. In March 2023, it hosted the first Hong Kong-style street market. It was one of the busiest weekends in decades. They launched the Pride Night Market that same summer, followed by the Halloween Night Market in October. The dedicated events captured the city's attention, helping to usher in something of a renaissance. They also offered entirely new demographics to experience The Barras. Setting up for The Barras Moulin Rouge Night Market. (Image: GT) Traders at The Barras night market. (Image: GT) 'There are a lot of people in the service industry that don't get to experience The Barras at the weekends,' Paul Puppet says. Having run Spangled Cabaret for 17 years, the compere and DJ is also a regular host at the Polo Lounge. He's no stranger to a weekend shift. 'A weeknight evening just brings a whole different crowd here.' Thanks to the rain, the crowd has yet to arrive, but slowly, flashes of feather boas and rainbow leis appear before disappearing into the covered market section. Margaret Gavin and friend Nisha Sran turn heads as they strut down Suffolk Street beneath a large umbrella. The pair have raided Gavin's costume box and are decked out to the nines in matching black and red burlesque outfits completed with feather boas and bowler hats. 'I got forced to dress up today,' Sran laughs. They are a bit disappointed with the weather, Gavin tells me. They stop to pose for a few pictures before heading off to scope out the market. Their arrival marks a shift in the atmosphere. The rain has gone from sheets to drops, and the sky is looking brighter over the East End. It's edging closer to 6pm, and the can-can dancers have yet to arrive, so I venture into the maze of stalls beneath the Barrowlands Ballroom. (Image: GT) Margaret Gavin and friend Nisha Sran turn are kitted out in corsets, feathers and tulle. The scent of incense wafts through the market hall where foot traffic is finally beginning to pick up. Young and old alike peruse the bric-a-brac, Labubu-themed toys and keychains and endless racks of second-hand clothes. Outside food vendors are filling the air with everything from the sweet smell of fresh crumble to the umami fumes of cooking noodles. Market manager Chris Butler zooms about, keeping an eye on things. He explains that these themed market nights are key to keeping The Barras exciting. 'This is to keep it vibrant, keep it fresh, keep the impetus going for different themes.' They are trying to come up with new ways to introduce special events and markets, especially ones that are 'a wee bit more edgy' or 'something different'. The first Festival of the Sea took place in March which transformed the market into a celebration of Clyde fishing culture. This year marked the third Hong Kong market as well ('our biggest and best yet'). An Italian-themed weekend is currently in the works. 'Loads of things are in the pipeline,' Butler says. 'But I can't tell you too much.' Can-can dancers at the Moulin Rouge Night Market. (Image: GT) Can-can dancers at the Moulin Rouge Night Market. (Image: GT) Can-can dancers at the Moulin Rouge Night Market. (Image: GT) It's true that opening up on a weeknight allows more people to 'experience the Barrowlands vibe'. 'The best thing is when people say, what's next?' Butler says. 'It really makes me pleased because you know you've done something that's touched people and made them a wee bit happy. It's a wet Thursday night and The Barras is bumping.' I look around, relieved that the rain has nearly subsided. Just in time for the can-can dancers. They burst into the market in full regalia. Corsets, ruffled knickers and high-cut skirts, cheeky rhinestone kisses stamped on their shoulder blades, and feathered headpieces burst from their chignons. They smile and greet a growing crowd of iPhone cameras before taking the stage for their first dance. They shimmy and high kick through a series of songs, reaching a crescendo with a sultry dance to Lady Marmalade, from Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film Moulin Rouge. Edgy indeed. 'I've always loved the Moulin Rouge,' trader Jeni Stevenson tells me. 'Anything romantic, I love.' Read more Barras Reborn: The animated Little Shop of Chaos owner was born on Valentine's Day. She and partner Richard Meddicks are in full cosplay this evening, something the couple has been 'dabbling in' recently. Jeni is wearing a full-length red corset dress with elbow-length black gloves. She and Richard have been recreating the Moulin Rouge film poster in front of the windmill. 'He watched it on Thursday, and at the end, I asked if he wanted to be Christian. He went, who's Christian?' she laughs. One of the first traders back after lockdown, Stevenson agrees that the night markets make The Barras more accessible. A lot of traders have 'long-time' clients, but the themed nights are a specific reason to go to The Barras. They make it an event, drawing in a more varied crowd. 'The market that's there every weekend is kind of the same, whereas these night markets have new traders, new faces,' she says. 'There are acts you wouldn't see anywhere else. It's a new experience, that's why people tend to like these a wee bit more.' Moulin Rouge Night Market at The Barras. (Image: GT) Moulin Rouge Night Market at The Barras. (Image: GT) The couple head off to explore the pop-up stalls. The care that goes into the themed events at The Barras, from the all-out décor to the fresh mix of traders and food vendors, makes for a lively and original affair. Whether it's a night market to launch Glasgow's Pride or a celebration of West Coast seafood, it's clear the special occasions have ushered in an entirely new way to experience the famous market. 'The Barras has never lost its spark,' Butler says thoughtfully. 'It's a vibrant, building market that's never going to go away. It's only going to get better.' Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
James McAvoy film shot in Glasgow to premiere at festival
The film, which saw the Drumchapel-born actor make his directorial debut, will have a special presentation at the 50th edition of the festival. It is set to take place from September 4 to 14 this year but the exact date of California Schemin's premiere has not been revealed. The full schedule will be released on August 12. READ NEXT: East End deli to open new cafe next week James McAvoy pictured on the set of California Schemin' (Image: Gordon Terris) Announcing the news on Instgram, McAvoy wrote: "A huge thank you to our phenomenal cast, tireless crew, producers, and every single person who poured their talent into this." He spent weeks in Glasgow filming the movie last year. Based on a true story, California Schemin' centres around Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd who are fed up of London record producers not taking Scottish rap seriously and dismissing them as "rapping Proclaimers". Better known as Silibil N' Brains, the duo soon embark on a remarkable journey rapping alongside Eminem, partying backstage with Madonna and being tipped as among the next generation of rising stars. READ NEXT: Fashion and homeware brand closes city centre store James McAvoy filming at The Barras on November 12, 2024 (Image: Gordon Terris)Filming for the movie took place in Glasgow in November last year at locations including the Barras Market, Queen Street train station, Glasgow Green, Park Circus and Maryhill with McAvoy pictured at various locations around the city. A free noughties-themed gig also took at the Barrowlands Ballroom as part of filming. (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)
Glasgow Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Still Game legend pictured at Glasgow's iconic Barras Market
Jane McCarry, who played Isa Drennan in the hit Scots sitcom, was spotted by a fan at the East End market on Thursday, July 17. Sharing her encounter with the actress in a Facebook post, Cheryl Bimendi said the TV star was 'so lovely' and 'totally down to earth'. READ MORE: Still Game legend announced exciting Glasgow event READ MORE: Famous faces in Still Game you probably forgot about In the post, Cheryl said: "I met the lovely Jane McCarry (Isa from Still Game) at the Barras Market. "She's so lovely, warm, and totally down to earth. She had me absolutely bucked with laughter within two minutes. "People definitely make Glasgow." Jane starred in the hit show alongside actors including its creators, Ford Kiernan (Jack Jarvis) and Greg Hemphill (Victor McDade). The much-loved sitcom first aired over two decades ago in 2002 and finished in 2019, after nine seasons and 62 episodes.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Barrowland's star-clad façade set for a face-lift
The owners of Glasgow's famous Barrowland Ballroom are set to alter its iconic star-clad façade. The famous neon signage of the beloved music venue, which has hosted some of the biggest musicians in the world, was installed in now Margaret McIver Ltd, the company that owns both the Barrowland and the Barras Market in Glasgow's east end, has submitted a planning application to the city's council to modernise the front of the proposals include the addition of a large LED display to the right of the Barrowland neon sign and another LED display on the entrance canopy. The Barrowland Ballroom was originally opened as a dancehall for market traders by Maggie McIver on Christmas Eve the time, a neon sign in the shape of a man pushing a barrow, positioned at the top of the façade, became a significant landmark for the area. This neon sign was removed during the war after Nazi German radio broadcasts identified it in great detail as a target reference point for original building was completely rebuilt after a fire in 1958, and reopened on 24 December 1983, the ballroom became a concert venue with a capacity of 1,900 standing and it is renowned for its acoustics and its sprung dancefloor. Musicians such as Oasis, David Bowie and Bob Dylan have taken to the Barrowland's stage, while Scottish artists Amy Macdonald and Simple Minds have tracks about the world-renowned new neon sign has become a major landmark for Glasgow's cultural landscape and Scotland's music scene, featuring on an Apple iPhone billboard campaign in the US and being replicated as a stage backdrop by Glasgow band Franz Ferdinand. Glasgow City Council previously said it would like to see the neon sign granted listed landmark status like that of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Scotland Street School, the Argyll Arcade and Glasgow Cathedral. A planning statement by architects McGinlay Bell said the LED screens would "enhance the building's character" and not detract from the existing neon lettering and stars. "The Barrowland façade presents an exciting opportunity to serve as a fully digital platform for showcasing upcoming events and sharing venue-related information," the firm said. "It has the potential to elevate the iconic façade by integrating a dynamic, contemporary digital feature."The plans are currently pending consideration by council officials.
