The pedestrian stretch of Argyle Street is next in line to get the style mile treatment with a £600,000 plan to revamp the shopping area.

The aim is to create greater synergy between Argyle Street and Buchanan Street’s busy shopping areas through the use of lighting, streetscape improvements, upgrading works to dilapidated buildings, replacing street furniture and establishing an outdoor cafe and market area.

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 on to Argyle Street.

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

Although any detailed design plans are some months away the market concept looks at the use of high quality dual-use ‘pods’ that act as trading operations during the day and close up to create illuminated features at night. It will also help to create a safer atmosphere that has traditionally eluded that area of the city centre after dark.

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Managed by City Markets, the market pods would offer private traders the opportunity to sell a range of quality, fresh Scottish produce.

The council will also redesign and implement new streetlighting for the area and replace all existing street furniture including benches and bins.

As the darker nights approach, the area will also benefit from new winter lighting similar to that seen on Buchanan Street last year and that will compliment Royal Exchange Square’s popular ceiling of light.

Designers will also be asked to look at where the council can implement façade improvements to some of the non-buildings on the south side of Argyle Street and look at the possibility of ‘greening’ certain areas using vertical gardens.

As part of the style mile’s continued collaborative approach retailers will be consulted on different options before a final plan is put in place, with funding coming from the council’s Better Glasgow Fund.

The Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Gordon Matheson, whose ward Anderston/City takes in the shopping area, 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.

(GK)