GLASGOW is reaping the rewards of the Commonwealth Games after enjoying one of the busiest retail and visitor weekends on record.

In the first few days of the Games, more than 1.5million people passed through Glasgow Central Station.

On Monday, a record 350,000 commuters were in Scotland's busiest station compared to the average daily footfall of 110,000

City hotels have tripled their trade compared to July last year with taxis and shopkeepers also reporting a significant boost to business.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Glasgow and Glaswegians have been the stars of the Games so far and the city's brilliant businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, have been at the heart of an amazing welcome that visitors from all over the world will never forget.

"I am proud of how they have risen to the challenge and I am delighted so many are recording a significant increase in trade."

Denis MacCann, co-chairman of the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association said every aspect of the first weekend of the Games was a huge success. He added: "Revenue during July for the hotel sector is likely to show year-on-year growth of between 200% to 300%."

Stephen Flynn, vice chairman of Glasgow Taxis, said they had been very busy over the weekend.

He said: "So far this year, there have been 100,000 additional journeys and we have recorded a 20% increase in pre-booked fares compared to last July."

Anne Mulhern of the Willow Tearooms and chairwoman of Glasgow's Leading Attractions described the weekend as "superb".

She said: "The weekend at the Willow Tearooms was unbelievable.

"Customers are loving the Games and our staff are delighted at they response they are getting.

"Glasgow's leading attractions are doing well and everyone is getting a turn so we are all benefiting."

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of the St Enoch Centre and chairwoman of the City Centre Retail Association said food outlets in the shops have been the real winners.

She added: "Footfall in the St Enoch Centre on Sunday during the marathon was up by 11,000 people which is far better than we were forecasting because our car park was closed.

"Overall, our footfall has increased by 6% and we are delighted people have not been put off from shopping."

James Rusk, deputy chairman of the Glasgow Restaurant Association, said business had been extremely busy.

He added: "It is like Black Friday before Christmas with weekend sales across the restaurant industry increasing by at least 25%.

"Restaurants have been ready to cope with the demand but it has been beyond expectations and some restaurants had to close early on Sunday night because they had sold out of food.

"Emergency supplies are being brought in and the whole trade is pulling together to help each other.

"Restaurants are bouncing, there is a great mood in the city."

Extra operations staff have been manning the station and staff at Network Rail's Glasgow maintenance unit have worked an additional 1560 hours since Wednesday.

And more than 400 hours have been spent cleaning litter from the lines on key Games routes.

Network Rail's helicopter has flown 24 sorties over the city since Monday, July 21, identifying potential faults for engineers to address and looking for trespassers.

David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: "The Commonwealth Games are a wonderful advert for all that best about Glasgow and we are working hard to try to help keep spectators and regular commuters alike on the move.

"We are seeing unprecedented numbers of people using Glasgow Central station, where our staff are striving to make sure they get the best possible experience during the Games."

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games Shona Robison said: "Since the Games began, there has been a record number of visitors to rail stations throughout the city. Glasgow Central Station alone had the equivalent of the entire population of Glasgow pass through it this weekend."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk