Wednesday July 15th 2026
Union Street fire site
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A key phase in the recovery from the fire in Glasgow’s Union Street will take place this week when the street fully reopens to pedestrians and vehicles at 1pm on Friday, 17 July.
The last remaining works – road and pavement restoration, and hoarding installation ahead of it being dressed for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games – will be complete by then, with the site handed over to the owners at that point.
The council is working with transport organisations and other partners on the arrangements around the reopening of the street, which will have a positive impact for bus and train travellers and businesses in the area.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This coming Friday is a really important day for Glasgow city centre. Since the fire, the council has worked alongside partners to try and minimise the impact on things like travel – and it is testament to that collective effort that we are now able to safely open the roads, pavements and buildings around the site and take another big step towards recovery. I’m very clear, though, that we still have work to do – and I’m looking forward to focusing on bringing the site back into productive use, both in the short term and for the future.”
Also adding to the ease of movement for people and traffic is the progress on the Argyle Street West Avenue, now substantially completed up to the Hope Street junction. Temporary traffic lights – now in place – will remain in operation until completion, with the contractors returning to complete the junction work at the Hielanman’s Umbrella after the Commonwealth Games.
The council has recently appointed an architect to develop a concept design for the ‘meanwhile use’ of the site, with the space being activated in the short to medium term, ie during the next four years or so while long-term permanent aspirations for the site are developed. Initial activation of the site is expected in late 2026 and this may happen in phases, and the council is also considering proposals to transform the area around Central Station.
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