The Herald and the Glasgow Times are running a week-long in-depth investigative series this week on the challenges facing Glasgow and what it needs to succeed.
“The Future of Glasgow” draws on first-hand interviews with the people who love, live and work in the city.
The series reveals the true state of the crisis facing the city’s finances and will question what improvements are needed and the urgency for change.
The series also includes a visit to Greater Manchester for an exclusive interview with Mayor Andy Burnham about what lessons could be learned from there.
Catherine Salmond, Editor of The Herald, said: “Everyone connected with Glasgow surely wants the best for it, but in order for it to thrive, to attract investment and grow, some hard questions need to be asked, and open discussions must be had. I am keen for The Herald and the Glasgow Times to steer those conversations in a spirit of collaboration.”
Stacey Mullen, Editor of the Glasgow Times, said: “We are excited to join forces with The Herald for this unique investigation looking at The Future of Glasgow. All of my team and I live and work in the city. We care about Glasgow and we want the best for our readers.
“We do many things well in Glasgow but we can always strive to do better.”
Read on for all articles so far in the series:
Day One:
'Dire financial straits': Glasgow's debts soar to £1.6bn – as overspends total £80m
Glasgow debt burden has soared to over £1.6bn - while it has so far overspent its budgets to the tune of £80m over the past three years, The Herald can reveal.
How Glasgow council services are funded explained
Martin Williams reports how Scotland's largest council is financed including vital money given by the Scottish Government to fund local services.
Man behind Glasgow Miles Better campaign reveals what city needs
The man behind the Glasgow's Miles Better campaign believes the city needs to follow the lead of several English cities by adopting a mayoral-style system.
Michael Kelly: Glasgow is unique and deserves special treatment
Former Lord Provost of Glasgow Michael Kelly writes on why Glasgow should be treated differently.
'I've lived in Dennistoun for 35 years, I worry property prices will force people out'
A Dennistoun resident has spoken about how the area has seen a lot of change since he moved there 35 years ago, reports Nicole Mitchell.
I have lived in Glasgow's Calton for years, it can be overlooked
A Calton resident says the East End area “needs a bit of respect” as it can be “overlooked”.
Time for Holyrood to devolve power to Mother Glasgow says Mike Dailly
Glasgow Times columnist Mike Dailly give his take on the Future of Glasgow.
Day Two
Council tax doesn't work for Glasgow, we need to redraw the map
The Local Government map of Scotland needs to be redrawn to give Glasgow a fair deal, according to the man who has to balance the city's budget.
Bus journeys are getting slower in Glasgow: how can we speed them up?
“Stuck in traffic, slower journeys, less reliable for passengers, costlier to operate, increasing fares”.
I had the choice between London and Glasgow – I chose this city
As part of The Herald and Glasgow Times joint series on the future of the city, we speak to people about why they made Glasgow their home. Here Eszter Tárnai talks to Ramisha Mujahid who came to the University of Strathclyde from Pakistan in 2023.
I can't answer why I came to Glasgow but I know why I stayed
“Growing up in Hungary, I heard that Scots are drunk and frugal, they all have ginger hair and wear kilts in the constant rain – I wasn't sure if I would like them. To my surprise, when I arrived, I had entirely different first impressions”. Eszter Tárnai writes on why she stayed in Glasgow.
'Poverty is our illness' in Possilpark, we have been left
As part of the joint investigation between The Herald and Glasgow Times into the future of Glasgow, we head to the north of the city to examine some of its unique challenges and opportunities.
We could do with funding in Glasgow's Milton, we need houses
In North Glasgow, there is a forgotten community urgently in need of services. Milton was built in the late 1940s and historically has been known for violence and drug misuse. A lot has changed in the area since, but residents feel some of it has been for the worse. As part of our joint series with The Herald, we visited the Milton Rattlers, a local club supporting the elderly.
Susan Aitken on LEZ, nighttime economy and car parking charges
In the second part of Kevin McKenna's interview with council leader Susan Aitken, they talk about the Glasgow deficit – the massive funding gap between what Glasgow gives the rest of Scotland and what it gets back.
I'm from the USA and I love Glasgow public transport
An American student said she loves the accessible public transport in Glasgow. Lucy Mills moved to Scotland's biggest city to study at Strathclyde University.
The travel trends bringing tourists to Glasgow in 2025
With Glasgow celebrating its 850th birthday in 2025 with a year-long citywide programme of events and activities, VisitScotland has identified two key travel trends for Glasgow among a list of eight trends shaping what visitors are looking for in Scotland in 2025.
Glasgow has been my home for 20 years - it's inexpensive
A Bangladeshi man who moved to Glasgow 20 years ago said he loves the culture and encourages his friends to come over. Moloy Sarker arrived at Buchanan Bus Station in the summer of 2003 and immediately felt at home.
I moved from London and love Glasgow's sense of humour
A Londoner who moved to Glasgow explained that he loves its sense of humour and friendliness. Les Back is a professor of sociology at the University of Glasgow. He moved to the city three years ago.
Celtic footballer inspired me to move to Glasgow from Poland
After Poland joined the European Union in 2004, Kamil Sznurkowski travelled to Dublin with a friend to take advantage of the freedom of movement. In the window of a Celtic store, he spotted a poster of Artur Boruc, who was their goalkeeper at the time. This image stuck with him for the rest of his life. Seven years later, at 28, he decided to move here.
Day Three
Glasgow can build power by taking central role in five-city union says Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham believes Glasgow should form a five-city pact with cities across the UK and Ireland and become a force to be reckoned with.
'We want to be a collaborator with Glasgow': Andy Burnham on his future cities vision
"The Mayor of Greater Manchester has had such success in his region that the thought of Glasgow joining the ranks is intoxicating", writes Marissa MacWhirter.
'Murrayfield hosting a few megastars a year shouldn't give Glaswegians anxiety'
A music academic dismisses any suggestion that Edinburgh could mount a challenge for Glasgow’s crown as Scotland's music capital as it continues to attract big-name acts for stadium-sized shows.
We have to drive around the Gorbals three or four times to find parking
Gorbals resident Lisa Gillen spoke to us about her love for the area, praising its sense of community. However, she said parking is an issue for people living every day.
'I love it all': Why we love living in Glasgow's Shawlands and Battlefield
Residents from the Southside told us they love living in the area but would like to see more community spaces opened up.
Former students reveal why they chose to stay in Glasgow after graduation
As part of The Herald and Glasgow Times joint series on the city, we spoke to graduates of universities in Glasgow about why they decided to make the city their home.
'Glasgow needs Devolution Deal like English regions' says Susan Aitken
For the Future of Glasgow series, jointly with The Herald, the Glasgow Times spoke to Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Kevin Rush, director of regional economic growth on why the city needs a new deal.
We don't need a Metro Mayor in Glasgow says Susan Aitken
Glasgow doesn’t need an elected Metro Mayor like Manchester according to the council leader. Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said the city needs more powers and more funding but not a change in the political structure.
Day Four
Glasgow nightclub chief pinpoints key barrier to city's revival
Mike Grieve, owner of the much-loved Sub Club on Jamaica Street, declared that radical improvement to public transport provision at night is critical to hopes of reviving Glasgow’s fortunes.
Work planned to start on long term derelict riverside sites this year
Peel Waters plans to build more than 1000 homes for co-living, for sale and build-to-rent with a 200-bed hotel and leisure plot and will include a publicly accessible riverside walkway.
Stuart Patrick: Is Glasgow at risk of being left behind by English counterparts?
"The devolution white paper indicates a significant acceleration of regional devolution in England. How will this affect Scottish cities and regions? Is there a risk that Scottish cities will lose out? In Glasgow, we are searching for clues," writes Stuart Patrick.
'An Italian at home in Glasgow' reflects on the city's past and future
Veteran restaurateur Marco Giannasi highlights two streets which he feels have been "forgotten and neglected", and sets out opportunities to learn from the past as he considers the future of Glasgow.
I love Drumchapel, I want to see it thrive but poverty is a problem
Andy Lynch has lived in Drumchapel for more than 50 years and has witnessed its changing character over the decades.
How can we bring Glasgow's derelict land back into use?
Glasgow has so much vacant and derelict land it could accommodate more than 550 football pitches.
I carry my litter picker everywhere I go because I want to make Partick better
Jill Ferguson is on a crusade to clean up Partick. She has lived in Partick for 25 years and played an active role in many groups, including community councils and volunteering at soup kitchens, charity shops and St Andrew’s Ambulance.
Day Five
I'm the editor, a proud Glaswegian but Glasgow could do better
"Glasgow always has my heart, and I always want this city to thrive and do better. But we need to do better. We need to attract investment in the areas that have been left behind," writes Stacey Mullen.
We live in the village in the middle of Glasgow - and we love it
We met with Anne Law and Lesley Mulholland from Garnethill Communtiy Council as part of the Glasgow Times’ The Future of Glasgow series to find out more about what they love about the area and what improvements they would like to see.
Adios, litter: What Glasgow can learn from the cleanest city in Spain
Located in northern Spain, Oviedo is a treasure trove of religious architecture and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. And while known for its history and culinary scene, it is renowned for its impeccably clean streets, accumulating national awards for the past two decades.
Merchant City residents concerned about a 'lack of vision' for the area
Residents of Merchant City say there needs to be more places for the community to come together. However they agreed 'people make Glasgow' and say they are a highlight of living in the area.
Day Six
City Centre workers and shoppers tell us what makes Glasgow great
As part of The Herald and Glasgow Times joint investigative series the Future of Glasgow, we've been speaking to the city’s baristas, buskers, tradies, and taxi drivers. Here’s what they had to say about what makes Glasgow great — and how it can be improved.
We need to cherish our history and culture and share it with the rest of the world
Former curator of the People's Palace Elspeth King tells us why Glasgow's rich culture and story should be told.
Rip it up and start again? The future of Glasgow's UNESCO City of Music status
As one of a select number of cities across the globe belonging to the Music City category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Glasgow is internationally recognised as Scotland's music capital.
From dawn to dusk, I spent 24 hours taking the heartbeat of gritty old Glasgow
We asked Kevin McKenna to spend 24 hours in Glasgow to uncover the heart and soul of the city. His eye-opening day-long tour became a love letter to the city that has sustained five generations of his family and a unique portrait of a city in flux.
The state of Glasgow buses and how they can be improved
The city's largest bus operator on fares, reliability and the possibility of integrated travel,
How Glasgow looked in the 1940s during and after war
As part of our joint series on the future of Glasgow with our sister title the Glasgow Times, The Herald is looking at the challenges the city faces and where it can go next. We are also celebrating its rich history and what better time to enjoy looking through past pictures.
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