Glasgow Council confirms programme for George Square project

Glasgow City Council has confirmed the full rundown of works to revamp George Square.

After previously confirming that works are set to start in January 2025, the Glasgow council laid out what each phase of the revamp with entail.

The first phase of the work’s will see the creation of a site compound around George Square, which includes 11 bronze statues being moved to a storage facility from January until March.

The statues are set to be restored between July 2025 – July 2027, before being returned to their new location on the completed Square from July 2027 onwards.

The council confirmed that works on George Square, and surrounding Avenues, are scheduled to start in April 2025, with phased completion up to April 2027.

George Square works are set to be delivered by August 2026

Glasgow council said that the revamp will bring “high-quality” stone throughout the Square, as well as informal play areas for children, a water feature, a raised lawn platform, bespoke sheltered seating, and feature lighting.

The first phase of the works will see construction in George Square, John Street, North Hanover Street, George Street (between Nelson Mandela Place and Montrose Street) Cochrane Street, St Vincent Place and Hanover Street, and Miller Street beginning in 2025, with completion due in 2027.

The second phase of construction – at St Vincent Street (from Buchanan Street to Newton Street) and George Street (from Montrose Street to High Street) will follow.

The scheme is part of the wider £115m Avenues project – a project funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal – and is designed to encourage active travel and areas that are more attractive to residents, workers, visitors and investors.

The council added that the final cost for the project will be determined through the procurement process.

George Gillespie, executive director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability at Glasgow City Council, said: “The confirmation of the timetable of works for the George Square project is clearly a significant stage in what will be a transformational scheme for Glasgow’s foremost civic space.

“A great deal of consultation led to the final design for the Square and reflects the ambition to build a space that respects the place the Square holds in our history and meets the future needs of the city and its visitors.”

The Glasgow City Region City Deal will see both governments provide £500million of funding for infrastructure projects.