A MUSIC shop owner whose store remains closed in Sauchiehall Street said losses have run into tens of thousands of pounds and still counting.

Biggars Music, across from the O2 ABC, has been shut since the second School of Art fire.

The owners have managed to re-open in Buchanan Galleries but said all their stock is still in the Sauchiehall Street store and they can’t get access to it.

David Hutchison, managing director of Biggars, backed calls for an emergency relief fund for the businesses who have had to move or who cannot trade because of the safety cordon.

Mr Hutchison said: “All the costs have been met by ourselves.

“We have had no financial help from the council.

“We have managed to get up and trading in Buchanan Galleries – we needed to be able to do that.”

“We have done it with the help of family and suppliers but not from any from of government.

“We can apply for rates relief for the premises we have moved to.

“It is useful but it is not providing cash.”

Mr Hutchison like others is frustrated at being locked out of his premises.

He said: “ We can’t quantify losses yet because it is not over but it is onto the tens of thousands of pounds so far.

“Smoke gets everywhere – we don’t know how much is damaged in the shop.

“Building control are being intransigent.

“I understand public safety is the primary concern. We can’t get any answers to questions, the only answer we get is public safety.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “There remains the risk of sudden collapse of buildings, so at this point entry to businesses within the cordon around the exclusion zone cannot be allowed as our priority must be to protect life and property. While we appreciate the frustration of business owners, who cannot access their properties within the exclusion zone, these measures are in place to ensure public safety. We have supported - and are continuing to support this business with financial help through the Glasgow Guarantee.” It should also be noted that we have very recently decreased the size of the exclusion zone to allow some businesses to return. We are engaging with businesses affected by the fire to offer all the assistance that we can.”

The Glasgow Guarantee financial support for Biggars is in the form of extending the Glasgow Guarantee funding (50% of salary) for two members of staff which was due to finish in the very near future, and making this support available for another employee.