IN recent weeks the Glasgow Times has campaigned on the need to improve the condition of our city centre and for the Council to lead on a positive action programme to reclaim Glasgow’s role as one of Europe’s top retail and night-time economy destinations.

As Glasgow Labour Leader I am determined to find long-term solutions to the challenges affecting our city centre in recent years. It’s not enough to blame Covid – of course there’s been some impact – but the problems in Glasgow city centre predate Covid.

The loss of large anchor retail sites such as Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and BHS has been a body blow and the failure to tackle vacant retail sites has dented confidence in the whole of the city centre.

It has been astonishing that in Sauchiehall Street alone there is a gap site at the former Victoria’s Nightclub, a neglected BHS site, a damaged ABC venue, never mind the colossal neglect caused by the two Glasgow School of Art fires. Even after the major spend on City Deal via The Avenues Project it looks as if we need to start all over again.

It seems to me that there has been complacency at the heart of the city leadership. Even the recent announcement of less than £2 million from the Scottish Government is an underwhelming response. Too much of the money will find itself spent on reviews and consultants when what is needed are actions and interventions right now.

The first priority is to transform how the city looks and our Cleansing Services need to be resourced to deliver the changes. Back in 2014 when the city was looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games our Cleansing workforce stepped up to the challenge and produced a gold medal performance for presenting the city so beautifully.

The next priority is to ensure that our city centre lanes are properly lit and add to the attractiveness and safety of the city centre.  In addition, visible policing is reassuring to visitors to the city and to our young people when they are out enjoying themselves in the city centre.

We need to reignite the campaign for Glasgow to receive greater financial support from the Scottish Government as we provide services and attractions that are enjoyed from all over Scotland. Fundamentally if Glasgow prospers then Scotland prospers too. Ensuring a better financial support for the city – including a much fairer business rates model – would make a significant transformation possible .

The recent pressures, due to a failing Scottish Government’s approach to our railways, on our major music and sports events is detrimental to Glasgow. It is time Scottish Ministers respected the critical role our city plays in Scotland’s economy.

It was embarrassing that Scotland supporters had to leave early from our critical world cup game against Ukraine to catch the final train home.

As Scotland supporters our team needed the Hampden Roar but instead thousands had to leave early. For those attending big concerts and music events – which are major earners for our city – we lost their custom because we couldn’t even arrange a proper rail timetable or decent alternatives. It is just not good enough.

Everyone has a great personal memory of the magic of Glasgow city centre – the vibrancy, the architecture, the events, the theatre, the experiences. They all add up to why we love our city so well and why we take such pride in it. It matters to every one of us.

Let us all commit to returning Glasgow to the Gold Standard that it once had. As a proud Glaswegian I will always want the best for my city. I know the Glasgow Times readers do too. Let’s get on with that task.