Wednesday April 29th 2026
A huge fire broke out in a vape shop on Union Street, Glasgow, on 8 March 2026
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A new report on Glasgow city centre highlights its ‘remarkable resilience’ after the recent Union Street fire but warns that ongoing challenges are still limiting long-term growth.
The latest Glasgow Pulse, a quarterly analysis published by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, shows a mixed picture for the first quarter of the year. While overall footfall declined, this was largely driven by a significant downturn in March following disruption caused by the fire and the temporary closure of Glasgow Central Station.
The report assesses five key indicators, footfall, transport, tourism, employment and spending, providing a comprehensive view of the city centre economy and future growth opportunities.
The year began on a positive trajectory, with January delivering a strong performance. City centre footfall increased by 338,988 visitors compared with the same month in 2025, representing a 6.8 per cent rise. However, this momentum slowed in subsequent months, with footfall falling by 2.7 per cent in February and 11 per cent in March, the latter directly reflecting the impact of transport disruption.
Despite this, the speed of recovery underscores the underlying strength of the city centre economy. By Friday 27 March, just two days after Glasgow Central Station reopened to full operations, footfall had reached 214,000, up from 203,000 on the same day last year. These rapid rebound highlights sustained public confidence and a strong willingness to return to the city centre.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said: “These figures are encouraging from a recovery perspective, but there is no doubt that the economic impact of the Union Street fire has been significant for a city already facing challenging conditions.
“To see footfall return to typical levels within days of Glasgow Central Station reopening is a positive sign. However, the broader picture points to the need for continued focus on increasing footfall and supporting city centre businesses.”
Transport connectivity remains a critical issue. In the first quarter of 2019, rail passenger numbers stood at approximately 13 million; in 2026, this figure remains closer to 10 million, representing around 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. While passenger numbers have steadily increased over the past three years, the pace of recovery continues to lag competitor cities.
Mr Patrick added: “Cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh have recovered more quickly, supported by sustained investment in urban transport infrastructure.
“If Glasgow is to remain competitive and continue attracting investment from major employers, progress on projects such as the Clyde Metro must be treated as a strategic priority in the year ahead.”
The report also notes that city centre spending has been in gradual decline over the past two years, mirroring wider national trends. March represented a clear outlier within the quarter, with sales down 14.2 per cent compared to the previous year, contributing to an overall year-to-date decrease of 3.8 per cent.
Mr Patrick concluded: “If there is to be a lasting legacy from the Union Street fire, it should be as a catalyst for renewed efforts to bring more people into the city centre- driving investment, supporting businesses and creating jobs.
“2026 represents a pivotal year for Glasgow, with a programme of major events, including the Commonwealth Games, set to attract tens of thousands of visitors. Alongside the launch of the Let’s Go Glasgow BID and the establishment of a new destination management organisation, this is a critical moment to strengthen our collective efforts to promote Glasgow as an outstanding place to work, visit and live.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
