Café Culture Concept Is Key To Style Mile Phase Two

Argyle Street’s pedestrian area will be undertaking a £600,000 revamp to create synergy with Buchanan Street’s shopping district.

The revamp will focus on lighting, streetscape improvements, replacing street furniture and upgrading works to dilapidated buildings. A recently completed feasibility study undertaken by the National Association of British Market Authorities showed that there was a huge opportunity to add a new food and drink offering to the area and promote a pavement café culture due to the current lack of bars, cafes and eateries that naturally evolve onto Argyle Street.

Central to the scheme would be kiosks with indoor and outdoor seating, offering refreshments to form an inner hub around which market pods and street furniture will be designed.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, said: “Although very much part of our principal shopping area, Argyle Street has sometimes been seen as a poor relation to Buchanan Street in terms of building style and street design. This scheme aims to enhance Argyle Street as a shopping destination in its own right and offer areas to relax and enjoy some refreshments in nice surroundings throughout the day and into the evening.

“Our public sector investment in this scheme will also complement the ongoing redevelopment of the St. Enoch Centre and hopefully act as a catalyst to entice more big name retailers to this section of the city centre.”

Glasgow’s style mile was launched last August in a bid to expand and strengthen the role of the city centre as the UK’s premier shopping destination outside the west end of London.