Glasgow Central Reopens After Fire, Easing Business Disruptions with Restored Pedestrian Access

May 21, 2026
Glasgow Central Reopens After Fire, Easing Business Disruptions with Restored Pedestrian Access
  • Glasgow Central has partially reopened and then fully reopened after the March blaze, with more than 70 businesses losing premises and many others dealing with safety cordons.

  • Pedestrian access on the north pavement along Gordon Street, from Renfield Lane to Gordon Street, has reopened, easing detours caused by the Union Street fire.

  • The fire started on a Sunday in a vape shop on Union Street and spread to Forsyth House, a B-listed Victorian building on Gordon Street that has since been demolished, leaving only the façade.

  • There is very good progress stabilising the fire site’s gable wall, with plans to fill voids on the wall soon.

  • Progress on stabilising the western gable wall is described as very good, with imminent void-filling work.

  • Officials report strong progress stabilising the gable wall, with plans to begin void filling in the near term.

  • Millar thanked affected businesses for their patience and noted that reopening pedestrian routes should help them resume normal trading more quickly.

  • Council leader Angus Millar emphasized the reopening of routes as a key step in helping the city centre recover and restore activity.

  • Officials reiterated gratitude to businesses and stated that reopening pedestrian routes aims to accelerate the return to normal operations.

  • Millar described the reopening as a milestone for recovery and vital to the city centre’s vitality and Central Station footfall.

  • The council underscored that visible, open-for-business pedestrian routes are essential for the area’s vitality and recovery.

  • Millar highlighted the area’s high footfall due to proximity to Central Station, stressing the importance of reopening these routes for the city centre.

Summary based on 6 sources


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