COUNCIL bosses have promised to return a beloved Merchant City statue to its plinth in time for Christmas. 

Concerns were raised earlier this month when residents noticed that the Mercurial figure had been missing from the area since July.

Council teams had moved in to remove the artwork due to safety concerns as it had been rocking slightly on its stand. 

Glasgow Times:

The Mercury statue - located outside of the Italian Centre on John Street - had been with the local authority’s contractor for repairs. 

Although an awaited date for reinstallation is yet to be confirmed, Glasgow City Council has reassured it will be returned to the area before December 25. 

A spokesperson said: "The popular statue was whisked away for repair as it was wobbling slightly on its plinth.

"Happily, the plan is to have him safely back in place before Christmas.”

We previously reported on locals' concerns over the missing figure while they argued the Merchant City looked "sad" and "neglected" without it. 

Now, they have planned to hold a celebration upon its return. 

Glasgow Times:

Carla Arrighi, member of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the statue will be returning to its rightful plinth in time for Christmas.

"Residents and business owners will be holding a celebration with a glass of wine in the anticipated return of the figure.

"The statue was always being pictured by tourists, so it will be great to see them happy in its home again."

The statue is one of two sculptures of Mercury by Alexander Sandy Stoddart close to the Italian Centre. 

In Roman mythology, Mercury was the God of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, poetry, travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves.