Call to save Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square

The deputy director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Niall Murphy, criticised the current state of Royal Exchange Square on social media.

He argued that it should be one of Glasgow’s ‘finest urban spaces’, with a need for repurposing and new life.

“The best example of a ‘Glasgow Square’, Royal Exchange Square should be one of the finest urban spaces in our city and yet the southern side is blighted by vacancy, outcrops of Buddleja and water saturated stonework,” he posted.

“The Square needs saving.

“Rather than being left to vandalism and rot, the buildings around (the Gallery of Modern Art) are crying out for repurposing and new life.

“So, if we are serious about encouraging more people to live in the heart of Glasgow then what better place to start than Royal Exchange Square.”

We reported earlier this week that Banca Di Roma, an Italian restaurant, is set to open at the former Zizzi space in the square.

Mr Murphy was not the only person to complain about the square.

One Twitter user responded ‘that’s an absolute disgrace’, with another adding: “Tragic. A truly beautiful architectural gem. In other major European cities it would be a pride and joy.”