Glasgow City Council is planning to hold a public consultation over the future of High Street.

A working group has been established to develop a five-year Action Plan for the area, which is home to Glasgow Cathedral, Provand's Lordship, the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, the Necropolis, the Tollbooth Steeple and Glasgow Green.

A number of key aims have been identified for the Plan, which will help guide the enhancement of High Street, Saltmarket and the surrounding areas in the coming years. These include;

• Supporting the heritage strategy for the area, promoting the local built environment as a visitor destination and building on the area's medieval history and range of internationally recognised historical assets

• Celebrating and promoting the unique local offer

• Enhancing the look and feel of the area

• Improving physical connections to and throughout the area

• Maximising growth opportunities for local and emerging SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)

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• Increasing footfall to the area

Other aspirations from previous public engagement included calls for more bespoke businesses and unique traders; increasing footfall along the length of the High Street / Saltmarket corridor by creating circulation between Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Green; and investment in public realm and traffic issues.

In addition, three main workstreams have been identified to assist in the delivery of the strategy; heritage, economic development and public realm. Overall, the partnership will work with a number of parties to deliver the Plan including property owners, heritage organisations, the Glasgow City Innovation District, the businesses developing in the Tontine and growing from it, the creative industries located in the Barras, Trongate 103 and the Briggait and local small businesses, including start-ups and pop-ups.

A cross-party body - the High Street Reference Group - has been established to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan.

Cllr Angus Millar said: "The High Street and Saltmarket area is one with a rich heritage and enormous potential, but there is a widespread feeling that the area has not been given the attention or recognition it deserves as the historic heart Glasgow.

"With the right investment and approach, it can be restored to its traditional role as an important centre for Glasgow and the High Street Action Plan identifies a range of key priorities and opportunities to revitalise and champion the area.

"We would like everyone with a stake or interest in the High Street and Saltmarket's future to take part in this consultation, put forward their thoughts and ideas and help us deliver a future worthy of its history."

(LM/MH)