George Square statues to be removed from April as transformation begins

Plans include a water feature, a raised lawn, sheltered seating, feature lighting, and play areas for children.

Sarah Hilley, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Posted in

Glasgow City

Statues in Glasgow’s George Square are set to be removed from April for the transformation of the public space to go ahead.

The civic site is due to be fenced off with hoarding in March and April – to allow work to get underway.

Plans include a water feature, a raised lawn, sheltered seating, feature lighting, and play areas for children.

The 11 statues will undergo restoration before being returned to the finished square from July 2027 while work on George Square itself is expected to be completed by August 2026.

A spokesman for the council said: “In anticipation of the start of work on the redesign of George Square, we aim to erect hoarding around the square in late March, early April with the intention of statues being removed on a temporary basis from late April, early May for maintenance and restoration.

“The redesign of George Square is based on significant public consultation and will reflect the ambition to respect the history of Glasgow’s foremost civic space while meeting the future needs of the city.

“The works will deliver high-quality stone throughout the square, informal play areas for children in sensory gardens to the east of the square, a water feature, a raised lawn platform, sheltered seating and feature lighting.”