Public want city statues to stay

Senior reporter

Tuesday 30 October 2012

THE public want to see the statues in Glasgow's George Square retained, even if most people are unable to name any of the historical figures they commemorate.

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GERRY BRAIDEN EXCLUSIVE

A survey by pollster Ipsos MORI also found members of the public favour the introduction of a water feature, a coffee stall, increased pedestrianisation, a replacement of the red tarmac and the continuation of hosting events as part of the £15 million revamp of the city's main civic space.

Those polled were of the general opinion that while "bland", George Square was generally "fine as it is" and previous re-developments amounted to changes for the worse. Read the full report here However, the same survey found "stakeholders" – essentially businesses involved in tourism, food and drink and transport – believed there was not a strong case for keeping the statues, with most in favour of at least some of the statues being moved to areas of the city "with which the individuals commemorated are more directly associated". There was also a consensus among stakeholders that the square lacks "a draw" or a "wow factor" and fails to reflect Glasgow's status as a modern, vibrant city. Ipsos MORI said its survey of a number of focus groups, described as an initial and small-scale scoping study, presented Glasgow City Council with the challenge of reconciling the public's views with those of city centre businesses and advises it to continue involving the public throughout the re-development to underline its core function as a civic space. A manifesto pledge by Labour in the run-up to the local elections, the George Square revamp was formally launched at the end of the summer, including the surprise plans to remove the dozen or so statues, potentially permanently. However, the poll has confirmed public opposition to such a move. It states: "Participants tended to regard the statues as integral to the square and symbolic of Glasgow's history and heritage. They commonly suggested the statues should be cleaned up and also labelled more clearly, not least for the benefit of tourists and visitors." It also said there was universal support for the introduction of a water feature to the square, with several insisting this would provide families with young children with a further reason to visit. However, stakeholders favoured a revamp, largely pedestrianised to give the square a "piazza" or "plaza" feel, to make the city centre appealing if it is to meet the challenge posed by out-of-town shopping destinations such as Silverburn and Braehead. A council spokesman said: "There is a clear desire for the square to be a world-class space, but also a place where Glaswegians can relax and while away a few moments in the middle of the city. The design competition we have launched will deliver world-class space while balancing the competing demands there are on the square." What those polled said l "Some of the statues could certainly go and that would free the space to be something more meaningful; to give it greater identity - not at all diminishing their value; quite the contrary – by putting them in a place where they are the key interest rather than diluted as they are at present." l "The square is purely a method of getting from A to B. There's nothing to it all apart from a few statues. If Glasgow's going to re-invent itself as a cutting-edge, artistic town, the square doesn't reflect that. And it should actually be the showcase for the whole town." l "If the statues weren't there, it wouldn't be George Square. The square is known for them." l "You could have a monthly market or something like that. It would make the square more of a meeting point because there's actually something to do when you get there."

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Public want city statues to stay

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