John Swinney has insisted Glasgow is "looking great" as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games for the second time in 12 years. The sporting event has been significantly scaled back since the last time it took place in Scotland after the original 2026 hosts in the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, blaming costs. Glasgow was named as the replacement for the Games in 2024 after an agreement was reached between organisers and the UK and Scottish Governments over who should pay the running costs.
City centre renovations underway
But several parts of the city centre - including George Square and Argyll Street - are currently undergoing significant renovation works as a result of projects signed-off before the Games' return as announced. Parts of the immediate area around Central Station also remains closed to the public after another devastating fire destroyed an historic property in the heart of Glasgow earlier this year.
Speaking today at an event promoting the Games, Swinney was asked if more could have been done to ensure George Square reopened before the event's return. He told LBC: "The renovation of George Square is a long-term project by Glasgow City Council, and it'll be magnificent when it's complete. But the timing of the Commonwealth Games is the timing of the Commonwealth Games. I think Glasgow is looking great."
A tribute to the city's innovation
Swinney added: "I think the fact the city has been able to embrace, in such a short space of time, the delivery of the Games, but also to redesign the Games, is a tribute to the city's innovation. We've created a different kind of event that secures the future of the Commonwealth Games and the people of Glasgow should really be proud the city has been able to do that."
