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The Herald Scotland
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow O2 ABC plans recommended despite 'negative impact'
The document also states that 'the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area'. But, the recommendation concludes that 'this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site'. The document details plans for a mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more. New images illustrating proposals for the site of the former ABC music venue building on Sauchiehall Street were unveiled on Friday: New O2 ABC plan concepts revealed today (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. Moving from day into night, the food hall would become an events space featuring music, entertainment, and a community hub. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage. (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact' (Image: Supplied) The proposals have the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber has welcomed the plans and said: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year. O2 ABC site branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) The former cinema turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilt over onto its roof in July 2018.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact'
This is despite the planning document admitting that the plans have a 'significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area'. The document also states that 'the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area'. But, the recommendation concludes that 'this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site'. The document details plans for a mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more. New images illustrating proposals for the site of the former ABC music venue building on Sauchiehall Street were unveiled today: New O2 ABC plan concepts revealed today (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. Moving from day into night, the food hall would become an events space featuring music, entertainment, and a community hub. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage. (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact' (Image: Supplied) The proposals have the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber has welcomed the plans and said, 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The Glasgow Times previously reported that locals branded the historic Glasgow music venue an 'eyesore'. The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year. READ MORE: No answer for Glasgow residents over rats at the O2 ABC O2 ABC site branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) The former cinema turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilt over onto its roof in July 2018.
STV News
12-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
What do new plans for former O2 ABC site look like after devastating fire?
Planners have revealed new images as part of a transformation of Glasgow's former O2 ABC music venue, with proposals set to be approved. Vita Group applied to transform the Sauchiehall Street site into a student accommodation development complete with a food hall and a courtyard events space. The plans are to be considered by Glasgow City Council next week, with planning officials recommending approval for the site. However, Historic Environment Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art are among 130 objectors to the proposals. They argue the new building would have a 'significant adverse impact' on views from the fire-damaged Rennie Mackintosh building. Vita Group New plans for the former ABC building in Glasgow. Vita Group The former nightclub and concert venue, which dates back to 1875, was served a demolition notice over fears it posed a threat to public safety in October 2024. The building has lain derelict in the city centre since it was severely damaged by a fire that started at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018. Vita says the development will bring £70m of investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces comprising of 306, four, five and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge, and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges and cycle storage. STV News The current state of the derelict building. James Rooke, planning director for Vita Group, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. 'It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. 'There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much needed investment which would be transformational.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow city centre 'on path to recovery' as sales and footfall rise
March also saw an increase of 7.3% in footfall compared to March 2024, with Glasgow's main pedestrianised shopping area, Buchanan Street, experiencing a 10% rise in footfall. Additionally, night-time footfall (between 6pm and 6am) rose 9.8% in the first quarter of the year, showing an uptick in visitors to the city centre as summer approaches. Meanwhile, for the fourth consecutive month, Glasgow's city centre retail sales performance was ahead of Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and the UK average. READ MORE: Major new projects raise hopes for Glasgow 'transformation' Boost for Sauchiehall Street as former showroom to become workspace Average Transaction Value (ATV) increased by 4.4% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, with the Average Revenue per Customer (ARPC) increasing by 3.4% in March 2025 compared to March 2024. Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "The latest footfall figures are an encouraging sign that Glasgow city centre is on the path to recovery. A solid year-on-year increase in the first four months of 2025 is a clear signal that people are returning in greater numbers and crucially, they are spending. The rise in general retail sales and strength in health and beauty also reflects growing consumer confidence. 'It's testament to the resilience of our city centre and to the coordinated efforts of businesses, public sector partners, and the Council. As we build momentum, it's vital we maintain this focus, ensuring the city centre remains vibrant, accessible and competitive for Glaswegians and visitors alike.' Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: 'These figures are welcome news for Glasgow's city centre economy, showing an increase in the number of people visiting our city centre and continued growth in retail sales. "From the changes to how we shop and rise of online retail to the impact of the pandemic years and the cost-of-living crisis on incomes, recent years have been really challenging for the city centre. So it's hugely encouraging to see an emerging trend of growing footfall across key city centre streets in the early part of this year. Glasgow (Image: NQ/Colin Mearns) "Growth in city centre retail sales is currently outstripping our comparator cities - and the investment Glaswegians are seeing in our city centre, with new developments and new retailers, shows the confidence there is in our economic recovery and the city centre's future. Our job at the council is to work with our partners to help shape a city centre for the decades ahead.' News of the rise in retail sales and footfall in Glasgow city centre comes after the city ranked in the top 30 in a list of Europe's Best Cities in 2025. The report, compiled by Resonance Consultancy, which specialises in destination, economic, and urban development, analysed the principal cities of metropolitan statistical areas with populations of more than 500,000. The report noted that "creative celebration and a pursuit of affordable opportunity keep Glasgow real, even as its reputation soars". It added: "Glasgow powers to its Top 100 ranking on the strength of education, with the planet's #6 spot for educated citizenry and a world renowned university founded in 1451, the fourth oldest in the English-speaking world (ranked #14 in Europe). The University of Glasgow counts economist Adam Smith and U.S. Founding Father James Wilson as alumni. And the world is taking notice. "Tech start-ups hungry for cheap space and talent are drawn to the city's working-class authenticity over pricier European capitals, even though the business investment metrics have yet to reflect the influx. Glasgow ranks #42 in our Large Companies subcategory and a middling #94 for GPD Per Capita. "Still, the city is among the UK's fastest-rising property markets and new hotels are planned for the rest of the decade, with the recently opened The Address Glasgow now welcoming guests. "But it's not like Glasgow has gone corporate. This is the home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland, and Glasgow is still buzzing from its 2020 designation as the U.K.'s top cultural and creative city by the European Commission. Its Top 25 ranking in our Culture subcategory will rise in the coming years."
