At midday on Friday, Union Street reopened for vehicles and pedestrians as barriers were brought down, marking the full reopening of streets around Glasgow Central after a devastating fire four months ago. The remaining entrances to Glasgow Central, including the Gordon Street entrance, also opened to the public again.
Local Reactions to the Reopening
Some city residents stopped to take pictures of the vacant site where the Union Corner building once stood. The B-listed building was mostly destroyed by the fire, and its remaining facade was demolished due to safety fears, leaving the usually busy city centre site shut for months.
Lisa Beaver, a 44-year-old primary school teacher, said it had been “upsetting” to see the Union Corner structure go up in flames. She added: “It’s looking much better, it’s a dramatic change from a few months ago when we couldn’t walk past it. It’s a happy time for everyone.” She expressed optimism, stating, “People make Glasgow anyway so, whatever happens, I’m sure it’ll be positive.”
Impact on Local Businesses
Lucy Cairns, who manages a dental practice a short distance from the fire site, reported that new business was down by about 25% due to the disruption caused by the fire and road closures. She described the area as having felt “stagnant” until now, adding: “It’s really exciting to see it open again for us, it’s huge progress. The countdown has very much been at the forefront of our mind.”
Long-Term Resident's Perspective
Alex Findlay, 78, said: “It’s great to see it open up again. It was quite a shock when I got the news about the big fire.” He noted that there is a much better view of the surrounding area now that the Union Corner building is no longer there. Mr Findlay commented: “I’d like to see more open spaces in the city. I think the city’s doing quite well. A lot of people are moaning about Glasgow. But for me, over 70 years, I’ve seen a lot of great improvement.”
Future Plans for the Site
The city council hopes to find a temporary use for the site before any permanent redevelopment is decided. The reopening has been described by onlookers as ‘exciting’ and a ‘happy time’, signaling a positive step forward for the city centre.
