29 Aug 2025
A bold new initiative is set to deliver rapid, visible improvements to Glasgow’s city centre, as city centre businesses come together to launch the Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District (BID).
Led by a cross-sector Steering Group of business leaders and supported by key city partners, the BID will address the most pressing challenges facing the city centre - from safety and cleanliness to economic vibrancy - from day one. While concerns remain about the condition of the city centre, positive change is already underway through initiatives such as the Avenues programme, the redevelopment of George Square, and partnership projects led by the Glasgow City Centre Taskforce.
Voting on the proposal will take place in October 2025, with eligible businesses receiving a business plan and voting papers ahead of the ballot. If approved, the BID will begin in April 2026, delivering an estimated £14.5 million investment over five years to fund projects identified by businesses themselves.
Let’s Go Glasgow has been designed to deliver additional resources and services, ensuring that the improvements funded by the BID business levy payers go beyond what is already provided by Glasgow City Council and other public agencies. The BID will work in close partnership with these stakeholders to maximise impact and ensure alignment.
The priorities outlined by businesses include making the city centre cleaner through targeted cleaning and graffiti removal, safer by investing in street teams and strengthening partnerships to reduce crime and supporting vulnerable people, more vibrant with coordinated marketing campaigns, event activity and streetscape improvements, and better connected by keeping city centre businesses informed and engaged.
Kyron Keogh, Chair of the Let’s Go Glasgow Steering Group and Managing Director of ROX, said:
“Glasgow city centre is full of potential, however we are aware of the challenges faced. The BID gives us the chance to take action directly, pooling our resources to make our streets cleaner, safer and more vibrant.
This is about moving beyond frustration to delivery. By working together, and additionally to what the public sector already provides, we can invest in the kind of city centre we all want to see. The support we’ve had so far has been fantastic and the momentum is real.”
Brian Fulton, Vice Chair of the Let’s Go Glasgow Steering Group and former Chair of the Sauchiehall Street BID, said:
“Having chaired a successful BID before, I know firsthand the difference this kind of partnership can make. A BID brings dedicated funding, focus and momentum to projects that really matter to businesses. From tackling cleanliness and safety to driving footfall and creating a better environment for customers, BIDs deliver results that you simply can’t achieve on your own.”
The BID proposal has already received strong support from across the city and from partners including Glasgow Chamber of Commerce who has facilitated the feasibility study.
Approximately 650 businesses within the proposed city centre boundary will be eligible to vote in the October ballot. Should the BID be approved, the result will be a city centre that better reflects the ambition, creativity and resilience of Glasgow’s business community and one where businesses themselves take a leading role in shaping its future.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
“This is an exciting opportunity for Glasgow city centre to become the 35th Business Improvement District in Scotland – and potentially the largest. I am pleased Scottish Government funding has supported the development of Let’s Go Glasgow.
“As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow plays a vital role in the national economy with the local authority area contributing an estimated £30 billion to the economy.
“BIDs help local businesses to work with public and private sector partners to improve communities and local economies. They are key to our efforts to put thriving town centres at the heart of a fair, green and growing economy.”
Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said:
” After a difficult few years for our city centre a corner is being turned, and businesses are absolutely central to driving our recovery. The city centre BID proposal presents a real opportunity to build momentum and respond to businesses’ needs and ambitions as we all work together to create the city centre for the decades ahead.”
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said:
"There is a strong desire within the business community to see Glasgow showcased at its very best, and the opportunity to create a BID provides a pooled resource to invest in projects that businesses themselves recognise as delivering real value.
"Initiatives that proactively attract more visitors to our city centre are to be welcomed, and the significant investment which would accompany the creation of this body promises economic benefits for all organisations based here."
For further details and updates on the Let’s Go Glasgow BID, visit www.letsgoglasgow.com
