The leader of Glasgow City Council has officially unveiled a monument to Glasgow’s merchants and trades on a newly refurbished street in the heart of the Merchant City.

Councillor Gordon Matheson showed off the facelift of Hutcheson Street and Garth Street - the latest upgrades of streets in the Merchant City which has seen the creation of an “outside café society” in the area.

The leader also unveiled “The Quatercentenary Monument” – a sculpture which shows a selection of objects and “tools” associated with Glasgow, its trades and merchants, including a civic mace, a cotton bobbin, a topmast of a merchant sailing ship, a mason’s dividers, as well as a wright’s or builder’s chisel, all bound together in a half ton cast bronze basket.

The sculpture, which is on Hutcheson Street, was commissioned by Glasgow City Council, The Merchants House and the Trades House to mark the 400th anniversary of the Letter of Guildry, which regulated the role of merchants and craftsmen on the Town Council. The tools of the sponsoring organisations are included in sculpture which is set on top of a 16 foot high polished granite pillar.

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Councillor Matheson, who is also a local councillor for the area, said: “Attractive and high quality surroundings are crucial to successful regeneration. The Merchant City is an exciting part of Glasgow’s vibrant city centre.

“The facelift for Hutcheson Street and Garth Street is already proving a great hit with locals and tourists alike. I am delighted that these latest street upgrades continue to ensure that the Merchant City is an enjoyable place to live, work, visit and relax.”

Allan McQuade, Director of business infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise said: "Improvements to the Merchant City area are a key component of the wider Clyde Waterfront Initiative. The numerous projects, including those being unveiled today, have considerably enhanced Glasgow's city centre and created a thriving cultural quarter which attracts investors, individuals and businesses."

Graeme Kidd, Lord Dean of Guild, The Merchants House of Glasgow, said: “City Councillors, Merchants and Craftsmen in their own way have played their part. I am delighted that this permanent record of co-operation between the Merchants House, the Trades House and the City for 400 years has been erected in the heart of the Merchant City.”

The Hutcheson Street upgrade is part of the ongoing work by Glasgow City Council to improve the condition of Glasgow’s city centre streets, footpaths and pedestrian spaces.

The work started in October 2009 and cost £637,000 (excluding the Quatercentenary Monument). The footpaths and roads have been created from Chinese granite. Granite benches have been installed to match those in Brunswick Street and trees will be planted in prepared pits during the Autumn.

On street parking has been removed from both streets, however, loading bays have been provided to meet the needs of local businesses. The widened footpaths will accommodate a number of outdoor seating areas at pubs and restaurants along the street.

(GK)