A MEDIA hub will be set up in the city centre for thousands of journalists covering the Commonwealth Games next year.

The move will provide a massive cash boost for shops, bars and restaurants around Argyle Street.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, VisitScotland and VisitBritain said they are to operate a media hub in the former Teacher's Whisky HQ, in St Enoch Square.

Currently run as a conference venue by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the centre will be open from 8am until 8pm from Sunday July 20 until Monday August 4 and will be available for all accredited media staff as well as journalists covering non-sporting aspects of the Games.

City council leader Gordon Matheson, said: "The 2014 Games will have a global audience of more than 1.5 billion and there will never be a better time to showcase Glasgow on a global stage.

"Every step must therefore be taken to maximise the opportunity afforded by hosting of this mega sporting event."

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said: "As Scotland and Glasgow prepare to welcome the world next year, the opportunity to position the country as a leading destination cannot be understated.

"The media hub gives us a golden chance to promote Scotland's tourism icons to the world."

Paul Gauger, VisitBritain's head of international media and destination PR, said: "The 2014 Commonwealth Games offers yet another opportunity to generate publicity and international goodwill towards Glasgow, Scotland and Britain."

vivienne.nicoll @eveningtimes.co.uk