Monday June 8th 2026
Effects of the fire on Union Street's buildings
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Funding of more than £10 million has been set aside by the Scottish Government to help clean up operations following the Glasgow Union Street fire.
The devastating fire broke out in a vape shop on the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street – directly attached to Glasgow Central Station – on March 8 this year.
The blaze led to the Union Street corner building’s partial collapse and severely disrupted rail service at the station – the busiest in Scotland – for several weeks.
Council officers later confirmed that following a structural assessment, the remaining part of the building would be demolished in the interest of public safety.
During yesterday’s city administration committee meeting, a report was brought before members confirming that grants to businesses impacted by the fire of £800,000 would be offset by the council’s capital fund.
Councillor Martha Wardrop said: “I have a question about the Union Street fire recovery and the funding of that.
“It is referred to in section 12 but I would like to clarify how that is being organised. It refers to revenue and capital funding and money then being reimbursed from the Scottish Government.
“How is that being accounted for? Is there a separate report to be presented on it?”
A council officer confirmed that grant funding from the Scottish Government would continue next year.
They said: “The Scottish Government has provided support in the form of £1 million of capital towards the clear up operation and £10 million of revenue towards the economic recovery from the event.
“In practical terms what the report demonstrates is the amount we have spent on economic recovery in the last financial year and we will manage the finances across the year.
“We can’t accrue the Scottish Government grant so we have used some of the money in this year on the basis we will get a grant coming the next year.”
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