Glasgow’s most famous public square is starting to look like itself again. Several of the beloved statues that call George Square home have been returned to their rightful spots as the £20.4 million renovation project edges closer to the finish line.
The square has been a building site since May last year, with hoardings blocking off large sections and the familiar stone figures nowhere to be seen. For many Glaswegians, walking past the fenced-off space has been a strange experience, the heart of the city centre feeling oddly hollow without its landmarks.
But that is beginning to change. The statues, which were carefully removed at the start of the project to protect them during construction, have been refurbished and are now making their way back. The work on the figures themselves has involved cleaning and restoration to bring them up to scratch after years of weathering the famously grim Glasgow climate.
George Square is one of the most recognisable spots in Scotland, flanked by the grand City Chambers and regularly used for everything from Christmas markets to political rallies and Hogmanay celebrations. Getting it right has been a big deal for Glasgow City Council, which has faced scrutiny over both the cost and the length of time the project has taken.
The £20.4 million overhaul is one of the most significant changes to the square in decades. The renovation aims to modernise the space, improve accessibility, and create a more flexible area that can host large public events more effectively. New paving, improved lighting, and better facilities are all part of the plan.
The project has not been without its critics. Some locals and heritage campaigners raised concerns early on about proposed changes to the layout and whether the character of the square would be preserved. The statues themselves became a talking point, with debate about which figures deserved their prominent positions and whether the space should reflect a broader range of historical figures going forward.
For now though, the focus is firmly on getting the square back open and functional. The return of the statues is being seen as a clear sign that the end is in sight after more than a year of disruption to one of the busiest parts of the city centre.
Businesses around George Square have had a tough time during the works, with reduced footfall hitting trade in the surrounding streets. Shop owners and cafe operators in the area will be hoping that the completion of the project brings people flooding back to the square, particularly as the summer season gets underway.
Glasgow City Council has not yet confirmed an exact completion date, but the return of the statues suggests the project is well into its final stages. When the hoardings do eventually come down for good, the city will get its first proper look at the finished result and the chance to judge whether the time and money spent has been worth it.
George Square has stood at the centre of Glasgow life for well over 150 years. Whatever people think of the changes, there is little doubt that seeing the square restored and buzzing with activity again will be a welcome moment for a city that takes enormous pride in its public spaces.