Thursday March 12th 2026
Saracen Central was among shops to have benefitted (image from Glasgow City Council)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Shops in one of Glasgow’s most deprived streets have received a makeover to honour their historic ‘Victorian’ design.
Ten shop fronts in Possilpark’s Saracen Street have been transformed thanks to about £590,000 Scottish Government funding.
The project has helped boost pride and encourage footfall and supports the road’s community business improvement district (BID) according to Glasgow City Council.
A council official said the scheme “has made a huge difference to the street” as shop fronts are what “people see as they walk along.”
He described it as a “very positive development” and pointed out Saracen Street is “obviously in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods of the city.”
Speaking at this week’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee, he added that small grants were given to “different shop owners to bring the shop fronts as close as possible to the original design of the Victorian shop fronts.”
A council report added: “The Possilpark Heritage Shop fronts project enhanced the physical environment of Saracen Street, encouraging footfall, and improving the everyday experience of local residents and visitors. Situated in one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas, the improvements were part of a broader programme of activity the BID undertook to tackle perceptions of decline, support local businesses, and strengthen community cohesion.”
The work was funded by £386,443 from the Town Centre Fund and £203,587 from the Place Fund. Work was completed in October 2025.
Businesses benefiting include a convenience store and food outlets.
Councillors were given an update on the project at the meeting this week as part of a presentation about where the funds were used in Glasgow.
The £15.5 million funding has been used to set up food pantries and to improve buildings and spaces among other measures.
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