Concern for future of Glasgow's Billy Connolly murals

A mural titled 75 BC, based on 'Billy Connolly' by artist John Byrne, will be covered up if plans for purpose-built student accommodation on the corner of Osborne Street and Old Wynd are approved by Glasgow City Council.

The mural is one of three 50-foot murals that were unveiled across the city centre for the beloved comedian's 75th birthday celebrations in 2017.

READ NEXT: Billy Connolly 'overjoyed' at 75th birthday gift of 50ft murals from Glasgow

'75BC' based on 'Billy Connolly' by John Byrne (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

The other two are ‘Dr Connolly, I Presume?’ by Jack Vettriano located on Dixon Street and ‘Big Yin’ by Rachel Maclean which is found on Gallowgate, with the Glasgow funnyman saying he was "overjoyed" with the murals at the time.

The artworks form part of the City Centre Mural Trail which features a diverse range of unique art on buildings and vacant sites.

Submitted on behalf of Nova Living at Ambassador Group, the plans for the Osborne Street development form a total of 288 units including 262 one-bedroom studios, 10 one-bedroom apartments and 16 accessible units.

A spokesperson from Streets UK confirmed that during the design phase, developers looked at ways to retain The Big Yin's mural but found it was "not possible" 

They said they will make a "significant commitment to public art as part of the proposals".

The spokesperson added: "During our consultation, concerns were raised about Old Wynd with local residents and workers feeling it is currently unsafe and unpleasant. 

"Therefore, we have extended our plans to prepare designs for improving Old Wynd including art installations to animate and enhance both the Wynd and the development site."

A spokesperson for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) says preserving the mural is one of the reasons they have objected to the development.

READ NEXT: Proposal unveiled for student housing on Osborne Street in Glasgow

'Dr Connolly, I Presume?' by Jack Vettriano (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

However, the Osborne Street mural is not the only Billy Connolly mural affected by developments in the city.

In June, planning permission was granted for a single-storey extension with a roof terrace, called Billy’s Beer Garden, to be added to Glasgow Hootenanny bar.

The extension will cover the bottom of the mural, though the majority will still remain visible.

Reacting to the news, artist Jack Vettriano commented: "What!… Who am I to stand in the way of a Glaswegian's drinking habits."

Now, MCTCC is calling on Glasgow City Council to protect city centre murals from "developers who fail to fully appreciate their significance", including the Billy Connolly murals and 'Glasgow’s Other Residents' on Ingram Street.

A spokesperson said: "Many of Glasgow’s murals, including those paying tribute to Billy Connolly, are major tourist attractions, admired not only by city residents but visitors from all around the world.

"We have long campaigned for the finest of these artistic murals to be protected, including against being wholly or partially obscured by developers who fail to fully appreciate their significance.

"We appeal again to Glasgow City Council to join us on this task.

"One of our objections to the proposal to build purpose-built student accommodation on Osborne Street was that it would completely cover up the ’75 BC’ mural celebrating Billy’s 75th birthday.

"We would also very much regret if the marquee on the Hootenanny pub site were raised to cover much more of the mural there, especially as the beer garden is named in his honour."

However, a spokesperson for the council said murals on the trail were only ever intended to temporarily bring life to stalled developments and vacant sites before they were redeveloped in the future.

They said: "Other murals - such as the hip-hop puppets on the wall at the corner of George Street and John Street - have gone as city centre sites have been redeveloped. 

"The Mural Trail is a very popular attraction in Glasgow city centre, and continues to grow with new murals recently installed at George Street and Cathedral Street."