Latest news with #RupertHarrisConservation
Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- 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 National
12-05-2025
- Business
- The National
First George Square statue taken down for restoration
An effigy of poet Robert Burns was removed from its plinth today, the first of 11 bronze statues taken from the square for conservation and restoration purposes, with the rest set to follow in the next two weeks. One of Europe's leading metal and statue conservation firms, Rupert Harris Conservation, will be tasked with restoring the George Square pieces before their return in summer 2026. The statues will be wrapped in blankets and black plastic for protection (Image: Colin Mearns/NQ) Hoardings were erected around the area on April 30 and renovation work will begin once all statues have been removed and placed in storage. The George Square redevelopment plan is set to take around 18 months, with a £20 million contract awarded to Rainton Constructions to cover the project. Read more: Scottish charity handed £50k from LEZ fines to help 'vital' community work As part of the wider Avenues project, the contract also covers the creation of links connecting streets near the square, including North Hanover Street, West George Street and St Vincent Place. The Avenues project aims to make Glasgow better connected, boost business, increase green spaces in the area and make the city a more 'welcoming, people friendly' place for residents and tourists alike, according to Glasgow City Council.
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Robert Burns statue removed from George Square ahead of works
The statues are lifted from their plinths and then wrapped in blankets and in an opaque black plastic for their protection before being placed on a low-loader truck and transported to storage. The statues are being removed and restored by Rupert Harris Conservation, which is one of Europe's leading companies in the statue and metalwork conservation area. The George Square and surrounding areas project is part of the Avenues programme which is aiming to make the city centre more attractive, greener and better connected. The statue is being removed from George Square (Image: Colin Mearns/The Herald) The statues conservation work sits alongside the main contract for George Square and its surroundings with funding from both the Scottish and UK Government. The contract is for both the George Square works as well as creating avenue at North Hanover Street, George Street, West George Street, Cochrane Street and St Vincent Place. Read More The works are being completed in two phases with the George Square, St Vincent Place and West George Street due to be completed in August 2026, and the rest by spring 2027. The George Square work is to have informal play areas for children in sensory gardens, a raised lawn platform, new seating and feature lighting.
