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The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Business
- 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.'
Glasgow Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Hoardings go up around Glasgow's George Square as revamp gets underway
Pictures show wooden hoardings going up on Wednesday, April 30 with Glasgow's civic square now being completely closed off to the public. Images showing what the new square will look like have also been placed on top of the boards. It has been confirmed 11 bronze statues in the square will be removed for conservation and restoration between May 12 and 23 as work gets underway. READ NEXT: Residents 'extremely disappointed' over decision to axe George Square feature (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) They will be returned to the square some time in 2026. The Glasgow Times previously reported the £20.499m contract for the construction work has been signed after it was awarded to Rainton Constructions. It 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. The plans put before the contracts and property committee this week state: "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." READ NEXT: Date revealed for removal of historic George Square statues (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) A water feature, which was previously included in plans, has been axed due to a lack of budget leaving some residents 'extremely disappointed'. The paper said: "Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. "Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope." George Square is expected to reopen in autumn 2026, with work on the surrounding avenues being completed up until April 2027. (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)
Glasgow Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow residents 'disappointed' over decision to axe feature
Those living in the city centre say there has 'always been a desire' to have a water feature in the square and it was a popular feature of initial plans, causing frustration over the decision to remove it at the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council meeting on Tuesday, April 29. The Glasgow Times reported last week that the water feature has been axed from plans due to a lack of budget. One person said: "It is extremely disappointing we have allowed that to disappear." READ NEXT: This key feature has been scrapped from George Square redesign plan (Image: GCC) They said a water feature is 'expected' in the civic square of cities in other countries, and including one would have given George Square the "wow factor". Another resident said the way Glasgow City Council had handled the decision to axe the plan made him "uncomfortable". He told the meeting: "I find it disturbing a decision has been made without going back to the public." Residents also asked attending councillors if it would be possible to have money diverted from the Avenues projects taking place elsewhere across the city and putting those on pause. READ NEXT: Preparations in place as George Square to close until 2026 George Square project final design (Image: Glasgow City Council) Cllr Angus Millar said the feature could be delivered in the future but it was not possible with the current budget, despite it's popularity in initial plans. A resident said it "will never get done in the future" and said the current redesign is a 'once in a generation' opportunity to add a water feature to the square. A resident also asked if the council had made the effort to find out if residents would be happy to have money that has been set aside for the Avenues Programme diverted towards George Square. Cllr Millar highlighted the water feature has not been featured in mock ups of the redesign issued by the council since Autumn, but agreed the change in plans could have been better communicated to residents. The Glasgow Times previously reported in June last year the council issued an update on the plans which stated: "The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting." A new update to go before the contracts and property committee this week states: "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." The paper, which will be discussed to approve the £20m contract, states: "Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. "Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope." Last week, wooden posts were erected around George Square in preparation of hoardings being put up.
Glasgow Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
This key feature has been axed from George Square plans
The initial plans had included a feature of fountains coming up from the ground and images showed children playing among the jets. Hoardings are to go up this month and work is to start in June before statues are removed to be restored. READ NEXT:Cost of George Square revamp is revealed as new contract signed The public was asked for opinions on what the square should look like, and a water feature was a new addition that was considered and included in the early design ideas. (Image: GCC) READ NEXT:Clyde Metro latest update as firm appointed to carry out investment work Now lack of budget means it has been removed from the tender and will no longer be part of the design In June last year The council issued an update on the plans which stated: 'The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting.' A new update to go before the contracts and property committee next week states: '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.' It has been revealed the water feature plan has been scrapped. In the paper to be discussed next week to approve the £20m contract states: 'Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. 'Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope."
The National
25-04-2025
- General
- The National
Key feature scrapped from Glasgow George Square redesign
The initial plans had included a feature of fountains coming up from the ground and images showed children playing among the jets. Hoardings are to go up this month and work is to start in June before statues are removed to be restored. The public was asked for opinions on what the square should look like, and a water feature was a new addition that was considered and included in the early design ideas. (Image: GCC) Now lack of budget means it has been removed from the tender and will no longer be part of the design In June last year the council issued an update on the plans which stated: 'The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting.' A new update to go before the contracts and property committee next week states: '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.' It has been revealed the water feature plan has been scrapped. In the paper to be discussed next week to approve the £20m contract states: 'Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. 'Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope."
