Princes Square plans flags to attract shoppers from Buchanan Street

Shop owners are supporting a bid to install flags outside Princes Square to “improve the visibility of” the centre and attract footfall.

Business owners say that people passing the Buchanan Street shopping centre don’t realise there are a range of shops inside.

It is hoped the flags will catch the attention of passersby and entice people in.

Retailers have voiced their support for a planning application from Sheet Anchor Investments to erect six flagpoles to help capture the attention of some of the 70 million people who walk down Buchanan Street annually.

But the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland has objected to the bid claiming “enough has been added to this poor B-listed building.”

The flags are to feature the names of the retailers inside the building.

Supporting the application, Seda Pamuk from centre retailer Yzill, said: “Unfortunately, visibility from Buchanan Street is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses within Princes Square. Huge numbers of people walk past the centre every day, yet many do not realise that there is a shopping centre behind the façade or know what businesses are located inside.

“As tenants, we see the effect of this lack of visibility directly. People can walk past Princes Square without ever realising that there are independent shops, services and businesses inside.”

A letter submitted to Glasgow City Council on behalf of the applicant said: “The overarching rational for the emerging proposals seeks to improve the visibility of the centre and appropriately advertise the tenants located within the shopping centre to passers-by on Buchanan Street.

“The proposals will help increase awareness of the shopping (and associated retailers) which will importantly drive footfall to the centre.”

It said there is “significant opportunity to increase the levels of footfall visiting the centre and capitalising on the 70+ million shoppers walking up and down Buchanan Street at present per annum.”

Objecting to the planning application, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland said according to policy flagpoles should not be located in a Central Conservation Area unless originally on the building.

It said: “There is no evidence that flagpoles were originally present at this property.”

The Society added: “48 Buchanan Street has already undergone significant changes that conflict with conservation principles and have harmed the area’s historic character. Permitting further inappropriate alterations will only accelerate this decline.”

It continued: “Surely, enough has been added to this poor B-listed building. No more accretion should be permitted.”

Glasgow City Council is considering the application.