‘Blow it up’, the bearded workman says with a grin.
Well, that’s one way to change the city centre.
As part of The Herald and Glasgow Times joint investigative series the Future of Glasgow, I’ve been speaking to the city’s baristas, buskers, tradies, and taxi drivers.
Here’s what they had to say about what makes Glasgow great — and how it can be improved.
Sauchiehall Street is bustling as I set out on a sunny Friday afternoon in mid-February.
Office workers queue at American chicken giant Popeyes and sushi joint Kokoro, while shoppers laden with bags shuffle past chain-link fencing set up in a vain attempt to shield the gaping sore at the heart of the avenue.
Indeed, the ongoing works are at the forefront of many Glaswegians' minds, as is the general cleanliness of the city centre.
My first point of call is the steps of the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall, where a groovy busker in a camping chair is playing a traditional Native American flute.
“The high street has obviously taken a hit with everything that happened in the past," the busker says, “but I feel that has closed a lot of people off.
“And I think it’s important that people remember to keep their heart open, love their heart, and really feel the wonder that is on offer.”
Not exactly what I asked, but a nice sentiment all the same.
As the sound of his flute wafts through the air, I continue down the busy street.
Paul is outside Queen Street station, waiting. He does a lot of waiting.
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A balding man nearing retirement, he waits in front of his classic hackney cab, chatting to a fellow driver.
“The city needs to be cleaned up, and we need people to get back to work”, he says.
“I just come to the ranks because it is too costly to drive about with the diesel costs now.
“I wait here for people to come to me.”
Maria notes: “It has a great vibe and has brilliant stuff going on; great music, great people, great food — but it’s dirty.”
“A green space would be great, with places to sit. Maybe we could call it Central Green,” she chuckles.
Across the square at sandwich shop Off The Rails, barista Marcus is all smiles when asked about the city.
“Glasgow is a great city to be in”, he says. “It's a lot of fun.”
“People will stop you on the street and ask you anything, which is one of the reasons I’m living here.
Kirsty is a street photographer. We chat as she takes a well-earned break on a bench in George Square.
“I think there’s quite a lot that could improve. There’s so much to see in Glasgow, but people don’t look up,” she observes, as a flock of pigeons flies overhead.
“Glasgow doesn’t bring in enough tourists either. Edinburgh has a lot of bus tours and ghost tours and we’ve got all that in Glasgow. It’s just not shown enough.”
Her companion, also holding a camera, chimes in. “They’re going to re-do all of this,” he says, gesturing at the square around us.
I’m there for work, but I can’t lie; the smell of chargrilled meat and crispy fries have made me rather peckish.
I turn to two dark-haired women sitting by the bar. The pair, on their lunch break, are waiting for their gyros.
“More coffee shops in the city centre would be great, especially those that serve alcohol at night,” one of them tells me.
The other adds: “I saw a Tiktok the other day about Glasgow clubs and it said after you’re twenty you shouldn’t be going out, so we need some more places for those of us who are a bit older.”
“Trains should run later”, the second woman says, as her companion notes: “My train should take forty minutes, but sometimes takes over an hour to get into the city.”
Read more in the series:
Susan Aitken: The narrative of decline in the city is absolutely false
The Future of Glasgow – Find all articles in the series here
Conic, who is snacking on Greggs chicken bites outside Buchanan Galleries, agrees.
He says: “I think the city is great, it’s nice that so much of it is walkable. The main thing that would improve it is public transport being more reliable.
“Public transport is the main thing that really needs to be addressed. It’s not just the cost. When you’re paying for it and your bus is running late or just doesn’t show up… sometimes it will take you an hour on a bus for something you could do in five minutes with a car.
“The trains are definitely better than down south, but they are really expensive. If they want people to stay in the city and still commute, they need to do something.”
As I turn onto Sauchiehall Street, I stop at a bright red police box. It’s the home of CBD Tardis, a hemp dispensary which stocks a range of oils, gummies, and various sweets.
“Glasgow city centre is the heart of Scotland”, he says. “I’ve been working in this red police box for the last ten years.”
“The ULEZ has hindered a lot of businesses, I know taxi drivers have had issues,” Chris adds.
“A lot of people are working from home and aren’t coming into the city centre anymore. Not to mention, the works on the street have taken months and months to complete.”
I complete my sojourn at Grump Pedros, a trendy lunch spot around the corner from the office.
It’s a quiet day, so Andy is happy to chat from behind the counter.
“The general vibe of the city does look dirty and rundown”, he admits. “There is a lot of work going on, but it can only improve”.
Despite detractors, many of whom said the shop wouldn’t thrive in a declining high street, Andy says his business has thrived.
“Glasgow is renowned for being a bit rougher around the ages but having a great community. That’s what makes Glasgow a city.
“That’s what makes us — us.”
They say people make Glasgow.
And if that adage is true, then surely they’ll shape its future.
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