Glasgow city centre footfall increases despite Union Street fire but spending down
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Footfall in Glasgow city centre has increased during the first quarter of the year, showing ‘remarkable resilience’ following March’s Union Street fire
A new report by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce highlighted the increase in footfall between January and March. However, it warned that there are still ongoing challenges limiting long-term growth.
January saw an increase of 338,988 visitors compared with the same month in 2025, representing a 6.8 per cent rise. Despite the positive start to the year, momentum slowed in subsequent months, with footfall falling by 2.7 per cent in February and 11 per cent in March, the latter directly reflecting the impact of transport disruption.
In his foreword to the report, Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, called March’s fire ‘the defining event of Q1’.
Despite this, the speed of recovery underscores the underlying strength of the city centre economy. By Friday 27 March, just two days after Glasgow Central Station reopened to full operations, footfall had reached 214,000, up from 203,000 on the same day last year.
Mr Patrick said: “These figures are encouraging from a recovery perspective, but there is no doubt that the economic impact of the Union Street fire has been significant for a city already facing challenging conditions.
“To see footfall return to typical levels within days of Glasgow Central Station reopening is a positive sign. However, the broader picture points to the need for continued focus on increasing footfall and supporting city centre businesses.”
Despite the increase in footfall, city centre spending continues to decline - mirroring national trends. Sales were down 14.2 per cent in March compared to the same period the previous year.
The report highlights transport connectivity as a continuing critical issue. It indicates that rail passenger numbers are still down versus pre-pandemic levels. However, there is some positivity as passenger numbers have increased over the last three years.
Mr Patrick added: “Cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh have recovered more quickly, supported by sustained investment in urban transport infrastructure.
“If Glasgow is to remain competitive and continue attracting investment from major employers, progress on projects such as the Clyde Metro must be treated as a strategic priority in the year ahead.”
Mr Patrick concluded: “If there is to be a lasting legacy from the Union Street fire, it should be as a catalyst for renewed efforts to bring more people into the city centre- driving investment, supporting businesses and creating jobs.
“2026 represents a pivotal year for Glasgow, with a programme of major events, including the Commonwealth Games, set to attract tens of thousands of visitors. Alongside the launch of the Let’s Go Glasgow BID and the establishment of a new destination management organisation, this is a critical moment to strengthen our collective efforts to promote Glasgow as an outstanding place to work, visit and live.”