Thursday April 23rd 2026
Buchanan Street
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Glasgow city centre footfall rose by nearly seven per cent in January compared to the same time last year.
Fashion sales jumped by 21 per cent and there was an 8.7 per cent increase in people buying more food and drink in the city during the month. Overall sales figures showed an increase of 10 per cent in January.
The performance puts Glasgow ahead of Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and and the Great Britain average according to a report presented to a committee yesterday.
Speaking at yesterday’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee, councillor Ricky Bell said: “It strikes me that the messages coming from the report particularly around the improving position within the city centre in both footfall and night time economy revenues are almost at odds for what you would hear from the enemies of the city who love to go about saying ‘it is all dreadful.’”
He asked about what plans are in place to “maximise that message” and ensure “everybody hears that loud and clear”.
An official said: “We continue to inform anyone who will listen to us around the data and sing the city centre’s praises in terms of what it has to offer.”
Councillor Bell, SNP, asked about getting the message out through communication teams and the officer confirmed staff”will take that on board”.
The city treasurer added: “We have to be proactive in saying to the city: ‘this is actually in a much better place than you have maybe been led to believe’. It gives confidence to people to come into the city and that grows the improvement position.”
A report presented to a committee yesterday reads: “In January 2026, city centre footfall was 6.8 per cent up on January 2025. The trend of weekends and evenings performing above this average continues, which highlights the new way in which people are interacting in the city centre. This is reflected in the sales figures with an increase of 10.1 per cent in January, including a 8.7 per cent increase in food and drink and a 21.5 per cent increase in fashion.”
It adds: “It should be noted that Glasgow was ahead of all the comparators (Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and the GB average.”
The data emerged at the committee as councillors were presented with an update on the progress of the city centre strategy for 2024 to 2030 and the city centre strategic development framework.
Tweet Share on Facebook
