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Sounds fab We could look at the filthy chewing-gum stained street inside and out.

Sounds like a bad idea. How big is it going to be? Will it have to be connected to buildings that have legal protectiion? (EG: listed buildings?) What materials are boeing used. Will it be vandal proof? Any proposal of this natrue would detract from the beautiful buildings already. A very naff idea.

[quote]Chief Executive Mr Mortimer said: "I have always had it in mind to make Buchanan Street better for the people who use it. "Buchanan Street should be a fantastic street. We should be able to do something to cover it from the top at Buchanan Galleries down to St Enoch Square and on to the water side. It would be a great thing for Glasgow. "We need to move with the times and get people back to the city centre."[/quote] Dear Mr Mortimer Buchanan Street already is a successful street. By my reckoning between 30 to 40 million people use it every year. Given population and transport links you'd be struggling to improve on that. It already is one of Scotland, the UK's, and Europe's great streets and is doing rather well without a canopy. Retrofitting a canopy down the entire length of a street with such variable heights of buildings and changes in gradient will not be easy. Anyway why would you want to cut the elevations of some of Glasgow's best buildings off at the knees? Doing this could destroy one of Scotland's great urban vistas. Copenhagen has a thriving public realm and while they don't have our precipitation it can get a lot colder. Somehow they manage to have a fantastic street café culture without resorting to such measures. Should we not be learning from that? Jan Gehl the architect behind the Copenhagen improvements will be coming to Glasgow shortly to talk to the Glasgow Institute of Architects. Why not get in touch with him for advice? Also why not just accept our climate? It rains in Glasgow. Deal with it! I suspect it would be a lot cheaper if the city were simply to request that retailers start putting back in the elegant Victorian shopfront canopies. That would be a more practical and simple solution in our climate. It is also the traditional solution that is used in cities all over the world. To be blunt I'm struggling to think of other European cities that have retrofitted their principal street in this way. Ok there is the strip in Las Vegas in the States but that's it. The examples you point to such as the Galleries Emmanuel in Milan were built as totalities and unified compositions. The glass vault wasn't retrofitted on to an existing streetscape later on. Have a look at this website if you want to be reminded why we should be proud of Glasgow's best street as it stands: http://www.pps.org/g reat_public_spaces/o ne?public_place_id=7 55&type_id=0

I agree with gweilo above. This scheme is complete nonsense, and I cannot believe the council are taking this suggestion seriously. I'd like to point out that rain actually drives me INSIDE the shops, not away from them. And the reason people like to eat at outdoor cafes is because they are OUTDOOR cafes! Stick a roof on the street and you can say goodbye to that. Cutting off our view to the tops of these buildings would be disasterous as anyone who knows anything about architecture in Glasgow will tell you that you need to look up to see the beautiful details. Instead Mr Mortimer would have us gazing on a glass roof no doubt collonised by the ever tenacious Weegie Pigeon and the resulting mess that comes from them. Lovely! Gweilo hit the nail on the head when he/she suggested that money should be invested into creating attractive shop fronts and making the most of our Victorian architecture. Milan, Paris etc are successful because they appreciate and safeguard architecture and culture, rather than bulldozing it and replacing it with bland shopping malls. Please have a rethink before people start a SAVE OUR STREET campaign!

And who exactly would pay for this ridiculous idea? Start by cleaning the graffiti and the disgraceful mess behind the pod thing at the top, and you might be half-way there. Then there is the lane to Queen Street station, fixing the paving.......and.... ..........and....... ....and....... YUK YUK YUK

I think he should just move the street to London where the weather is nicer!!!! Or buy a big fan to blow all the clouds away? Or how about give away huge, see through umbarellas instead? That way everyone can pretend they're in Milan (when it's teaming doon) & still see the architecture!!! It might save everyone about 40 Million or so as well???????

The only persons who will benefit from this idea will be the beggars, big issue sellers and clip-board carrying canvassers that plague Buchanan Street. They will be able to carry on pestering the shoppers in the area with the comfort of a roof over their heads. This will however be good news for the Glasgow smokers, no more standing outside the shops, pubs and restaurants in the wind and rain to have a fag. No doubt Buchanan Street will become a vehicle, smokers and drink free zone in the future.

What a lot of negitive unimaginative people we have here in Glasgow. Would they advocate taking the roofs off all the new shopping malls? Of course not, it would be fantastic to be able to walk down and drink coffee in Buchannan St. all year round without being soaked. Done properly we could have the best of both old and new, reading the previous posts I wonder whether we deserve the best.

What a lot of negitive unimaginative people we have here in Glasgow. Would they advocate taking the roofs off all the new shopping malls? Of course not, it would be fantastic to be able to walk down and drink coffee in Buchannan St. all year round without being soaked. Done properly we could have the best of both old and new, reading the previous posts I wonder whether we deserve the best.

What a lot of negitive unimaginative people we have here in Glasgow. Would they advocate taking the roofs off all the new shopping malls? Of course not, it would be fantastic to be able to walk down and drink coffee in Buchannan St. all year round without being soaked. Done properly we could have the best of both old and new, reading the previous posts I wonder whether we deserve the best.

Sometimes I get utterly sick of the lack of go in my fellow Scots. Here is a man wanting to try something for the city centre and before there are even plans in place, the idea is being knocked senseless. I have my own business and trade around the world. Everytime I return to glasgow and leave the airport I'm always ashamed of how filty and dirty our country is. [bold]Get a grip you moaners, lets praise these people and give them a chance.[/bold]

Sounds great to me, as it will allow all the aggresive beggars to conduct their business with a lot more comfort. I look forward to watching the tourists leave in disgust when they are perstered by these people. It was reported several times in the media that something was going to be done to clear the beggars from the streets, there appears to be more than ever including the new imports.

Douglas I and the others (I guess) are anything but unimaginative. When you read of the whim of someone who thinks they know best, I do believe that others have the right to comment. For starters, this little project would cost tens and tens of millions of pounds. It is not just a simple case of putting a steel & glass structure up. Consideration to essential services - gas,water etc would cost a fortune just to realign. Then there is the the physical height of the buildings - there are no two the same. It would look horrid. Best spending money on the underground to get more people there.

It can be done .Even if the byuidings are uneven at top ,The Glassg wouldnt abstruct the tops of any.The guy is willing to put money into Glasgow and we should be grateful folk are interested in Glasgow and willing to invest.LET GLASGOW FLOURISH .

Putting a roof on one of the most successful shopping streets in the UK has to be one of the most hair-brained, lunatic monstrosities ever considered. That'll be why Glasgow council will go for it.

Further to John and Douglas's posts actually I think James Mortimer should be supported and saluted for wanting to improve the environs round Buchanan Street. The idea of revitalising the lanes like Las Ramblas is a very very good one. I just disagree about a canopy and feel that is a distraction. Buchanan street has had a lot of money spent on it and is widely recognised as one of the best streets in the UK. But we can't rest on our laurels and it needs improvement. It is particularly disappointing that after all the public realm improvements and the money spent to date Glasgow City Council cannot keep on top of basic maintenance issues such as replacing bollards, benches, and stone paviors with like or can get monies out of retailers whose delivery vehicles have damaged the street. Both that and improved connections to the Clyde around Dixon Street should be be addressed first before we embark on high falutin ideas. Buchanan Street is Glasgow's great street. Lets make it the best it can be but be realistic.

Oh and by the way Douglas the latest generation of shopping malls in the US and Asia are being built without glass roofs as designers now recognise that people like the outdoor experience traditional streets offered rather than complete enclosure. So taking the roofs off shopping malls may not be such a bad idea.

Does this imbecile not realise that the ONLY reason people flock to the out of town malls is because of the FREE and ABUNDANT parking??? It's nothing to do with them being covered over! Sigh...

Dreadful, naff idea. Heard the developer on the radio..sounded like a thug. I like the outdoor feel, wind on the face etc. The buildings of Buchanan should be lit as they are in Paris..and NOT in the fairground primary colour style favoured by this council.

Great Idea....will put us on the map with the tourists. If done properly, it can be lit in such a way but to enhance the magnificent buildings. It would give the city center a different "feel" to it. I dont know about you lot but the continental "feel" you get around the museum of modern art is very laid back and I enjoy this area of the city center quite considerably. Its time we move foward with this city and get rid of the embarrassing GLESGA attitude. The added roof complete with proper lighting & a marble look street will look sheer classy and will boost Buchanan Street right to the top as THE number 1 shopping precinct!! Comon...think aboot it!!

Moan, moan, moan! It's only an idea!

Buchanan St is beautifl as it is, and I agree that it will encourage beggars and big issue sellers more in doors. Not that I mind slipping someone the odd £1 here and there but it soon becomes annoying when they are sat at the cashpoint, standing directly in the shop doorways. In High St Kensing, London councillors and retailers are fighting like mad to be rid of them because they are scaring away customers, at least when its really cold there will be less of them but give them shelter and we wont get peace. I know one outlet in New York where for a time they were coming into the actual Starbucks and other coffee shops and asking for money, is this how it is to be?

Sorry I should say Buchanan Street is beautiful, please excuse error

Aye well...call me auld fashioned...I prefer the idea o' the wind blowin up ma skirt as a race fae shoap tae shoap...lookin forward tae a nice hot coffee somewhere tae thaw oot...or how aboot the sun (when we git it) oan yer face as ye idle yer way alang..windae shoppin etc...nah beat it!...we've awready goat that anthill at the tap o' Buchanan street....nae escape intae the fresh air whin the hordes are comin at ye...ye need tae beat yer way oot o' there..aaaaaargh!... this isnae Italy, Spain nor France...are we not Scottish?...dreichne ss is in the blood...soak it up folks...soak it up..say it loud..."Ahm dreich an ahm proud".... Besides could they no think o' something a wee bit merr original than a roof?

Great idea, but..... In case of a fire, how do the crews get access. If all vehicular traffic is banned, how is the enclosed area going to be cleaned, how is it going to be ventilated? Small points, the idea is good, but needs a lot of thought.

Any plans to improve glasgow is a great idea. HOWEVER, do we ever have anybody else in glasgow that actually gets to clinch any sort of deal , project or any other venture other than stephen king or james mortimer ??? Is there something going on behind council doors that we should worry about ?? These 2 names keep cropping up rather un- healthily i must say.

Sorry Glamkitty, I just asked the wife and she says on a wet days its Braehead for her to escape the rain. Would like to see what a world class plan would consist of. My imagination might be somewhat lacking but I can't think of a good modern canopy with any great style, glass or covered. Perhaps the height of the canopy (if among the rooftops) would make it work, I;m not a fan of low roofs.

I live 10min. away from the worlds largest mall, West Edmonton Mall, and with our very severe winters here we really need to have covered shopping centers but when I am in Glasgow I love the open shopping on Buchanan St, very seldom go into St Enoch's as it just doesn't have the feeling as Buchanan ST. or even Sauchiehall St

I think its a great plan ... Mr Mortimer and other businness like minded people are raising the profile of our city .. (no pun intended)

This desperation and destruction of Buchanan Street is a step to far, and yet more proof that Glasgow City Council are absolutely miles off the mark. Why can't they leave Glasgows City Centre alone and stop messing about with it. By trying to expand the retail space all their doing is placing yet more pressure on existing retailers. Watching some of our quality retailers being continually squeezed out - with Buchanan Street being further gentrified can only be detrimental in the long term, and is proof that capitalism is gaining far too much control. Its not about cosmetic and artificial improvements being made to our city centre streets. It's about the bigger picture - seeing that money is invested in affordable, rented housing. Refurbishing parts of the city which genuinely need work carried out on them. And.....cleaning up areas of the city which are seriously neglected and under-invested in. Just as with the removal of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Steps on Buchanan Street - this plan is equally as foolhardy and is entirely uneconomical. WHEN WILL GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL STOP MEDDLING WITH PART OF THE CITY WHICH ARE PERFECTLY OKAY. YOU KNOW THE EXPRESSION: [italic]"IF IT'S NOT BROKEN - DON'T FIX IT!" [/italic]

Holy moly - the level of negativity on this forum day in day out is beyond belief. The suggestion represents an open minded, ambitious thinking proposal. For the first comment to focus on chewing gum (even though I realise it's a joke) and then be followed by complaint after gripe after moan after moan (with punctuated objections I must say) is completely and utterly depressing. What do you actually [italic]want[/italic] to happen in Glasgow or Scotland? Should all ideas from now on be abolished and everyone stays inside for ever, so there's nothing more to complain about? [bold]Gggggrrrrr.[/bold]

I presume that all of the usual "negative nellies" who oppose this (and every other forward thinking) idea sight unseen have never been in Pricess Square which is just a mini version of what this poposal entails. Go and have a look then come back and tell us it's still a bad idea.....

We seem to be obsessed by promoting Glasgow as a mecca for shoppers.Evry other week we hear of new developments,markets ,malls,huge extensions to existing shopping centres,I for one am fed up with it,lets take a step back and admire, retain and restore whats left of Glasgow wonderful architecture.Buchann an st doesn't need enhancing,it's fantastic as it is. Do we really want to work,live ,relax in a metal plastic glass encased city, not me...

why the negativity ? all the big issue sellers will have ready made jobs as window cleaners!

To all those Yanks who are used to their Malls and such like - not to mention that thing folk call the sun! Maybe you don't have the fact that [italic]"Scotland has become wetter since 1961, with an average increase in winter rainfall of almost 60% in the north and west"[/italic] Try walking along a glass? covered Buchanan Street with the noise of rain pelting down on the roof - personally I prefer a good old fashioned anorak & brolly anyday. Apart from the fact that when we actually do see any sunshine - we'll end up being more like lizards in their glass house / greenhouse , than folk out in the fresh open air Buchanan Street. We've already got Princes Square, Buchanan Galleries, St Enoch Centre all under cover - so lets leave Buchanan Street alone! We folk are not being negative - just preventing entrepreneurs sticking their nose & cash in where Glaswegians don't want it. As for what Glasgow City Council wants - well thats another story. Anything to make them more capital & money - whatever the cost or damage to our over - developed, and gentrified (almost) ghetto of a city.

In true Scottish style, how long would it be till the roof fell down?

While the glassing-over of Buchanan Street sounds a wonderful idea in theory, I just don't think it's practical for any number of reasons, including some already mentioned. Perhaps Mr Mortimer is just flying a kite, knowing that the wholesale coverage of the street would be rejected, and a lesser scheme covering the lanes, and of course involving public funds, would have more chance of being passed. Rather than considering any glassing-over of Buchanan Street, would it not be possible to cover the southern entrance to the Underground, and make a serious attempt at cleaning the glass roof on the northern one?

Agree with you in part Murraymint, As realistically, how long would it take for the glass roof to become filthy, and who would take responsibility - (if at all)- to clean it ? As well as what BM rightly says - with the record of our builders of late - i.e. Harbourside Flats, "Clyde Arc" Bridge, the design on paper, and the reality are never quite the same thing! The idea of walking along a glass? covered Buchanan Street with the noise of rain pelting down on the roof does not appeal to me in the slightest. - Personally I prefer a good old fashioned anorak & brolly anyday. Apart from the fact that when we actually do see any sunshine - we'll end up being more like lizards - overheated in a glass house, than folk out in the fresh open air Buchanan Street.We've already got Princes Square, Buchanan Galleries, St Enoch Centre all under cover: - lets leave Buchanan Street alone!

This idea of Mortimers and G.C.C. is a real pane in the (gl)****! Where we can't even tell Mortimer to "Mind His Own Business" now that he owns a £50 million property on Buchanan Street. The only people who this would suit is our hypocritic Councillors who could throw stones within their glass house at their hearts content!

This idea of Mortimers and G.C.C. is a real pane in the (gl)a55! Where we can't even tell Mortimer to "Mind His Own Business" now that he owns a £50 million property on Buchanan Street. The only people who this would suit is our hypocritic Councillors who could throw stones within their glass house at their hearts content!

the pavement cafe's are there because of the smoking ban, were are the smokers to go if there is going to be a roof from the top of buchanan street to st enochs square this is a main street doesn't make any sense to me at all also is it not a health and saftey ther wouldn't be many fire exits on the way down the street apart from the few streets that cut across buchanan street.

See!!! MOANING GLESGA ATTITUDE. You lot who refuse to see the bigger picture are probably as static in your own, rain swept windy lifes going nowhere. The very same people whos idea of diversity and ambition is to dream about it at the bottom of a pint glass then throw it up all over Buchanan Street in the early hours of the morning.Is this why you like the rain to wash it all away??...OH or do you just stay in the house now and DRINK!!! This city needs a complete change in thought, direction, idea and way of life all together. The youngsters need to see an example of positive direction. A project of this magnitute in the city is exciting, classy and will look fantastic when complete. You will not even notice the rain outside. The street will be dry, smell of coffee bars, food and have a generally safer feel to it. I will say again, this city is in greater need of a new, modern mindset that can only help us get rid of this "GLESGA" attitude and everything that comes tagged with it...eg buckfast and booze!!!

There are loads of like minded business men / women who have the capital, nouse, and ambition to invest heavily in glasgow. But we cant seem to get away from this small narrow view of who we`d like that to be,. As i said before, king already owns a large chunk of glasgows west end, and pretty much all of george sqaure, and now mortimer wants to own the other half. Is this a coincidence ?? Or as i said before, is somebody giving those guys the `funny handshake ``??? Or a heads up on any future proposals for our city. As recent events have proved, we need to keep an eye on our leaders in these departments, they can get up to a bit of mischief from time to time.

This is not a moan but a question, given the amount of rain that falls on Scotland how would a glass roof be cleaned/or remain clean? I stay in a beautiful European city where there are no glass roofs, we have freezing winds and snow in winter but you dress appropriately for that.

Theres Glass that cleans itself now.

Roofs over streets - now business leaders want our sky!leave alone

[quote][bold]Donny[/bold] wrote: See!!! MOANING GLESGA ATTITUDE. You lot who refuse to see the bigger picture are probably as static in your own, rain swept windy lifes going nowhere. The very same people whos idea of diversity and ambition is to dream about it at the bottom of a pint glass then throw it up all over Buchanan Street in the early hours of the morning.Is this why you like the rain to wash it all away??...OH or do you just stay in the house now and DRINK!!! This city needs a complete change in thought, direction, idea and way of life all together. The youngsters need to see an example of positive direction. A project of this magnitute in the city is exciting, classy and will look fantastic when complete. You will not even notice the rain outside. The street will be dry, smell of coffee bars, food and have a generally safer feel to it. I will say again, this city is in greater need of a new, modern mindset that can only help us get rid of this "GLESGA" attitude and everything that comes tagged with it...eg buckfast and booze!!! [/quote] To start with Donny - I dislike the way you tar folk with the same brushes - yes the drink culture is getting worse - but I for one can easily go out for a night and not touch a drop! As for those who drink so much they vomit it all over the streets - Buchanan Street is hardly the first place they would be drinking at for this to happen. ( rates / price of pints!) Agree with youtr theory here:[italic]"This city needs a complete change in thought, direction, idea and way of life all together. The youngsters need to see an example of positive direction"[/italic] However, as easy as it is to say this - what benefits would this possibly bring, give or have for our youngsters, trouble makers, those who get into fights in the city centre streets (etc)? I'll tell you sweet Fa**y Adams ; Zero ; Zilch!" All this will do is upgrade a part of Glasgows retail industry which many cannot afford to shop in anyway. We're already seen Buchanan Galleries built - what major changes did that make to inspire or improve behaviour of misguided, and drunken youths ? None! You also say: [italic]"A project of this magnitude in the city is exciting, classy and will look fantastic when complete."[/italic] Again easy to say - but implications are many. Not least: 1. Adequate Fire Exits from Buchanan Streets "Galleria!" 2. Continued access to delivery vehicles who cannot get access to the rear of shops. As well as Emergency Vehicles/ Ambulances (etc) 3. A reverse in smokers being allowed to smoke in the al fresco outside cafes & pubs. 4. Noise from rain pelting on the glass roof. 5. The differing physical height of buildings - to allow for people to still be able to see Buchanan Streets fabulous Architecture ( which will be hidden & lost if this roof plan is allowed. 6. Impracticalities of air conditioning during hotter days - where it will potentially be turned into a greenhouse! 7. This little project would cost tens and tens of millions of pounds. It is not just a simple case of putting a steel & glass structure up. Consideration to essential services - gas,water etc would cost a fortune just to realign. 8.Will it be vandal & pigeon poo proof ? The thought of the glass being covered in graffiti, or pigeons congregating on the roof and deficating all over it is lovely. (NOT!) Many ligitamate problems are being highlighted with this scheme - which is not a long term solution to sloving Buchanan Streets slugglish slow down in its spending. Being more sensitive about the huge numbers of out of town, newly built shopping malls - Silverburn, Braehead, and The Fort are all the main reason people are leaving the city centre - and opting for convenience! So, ultimately Glasgow City Council CANNOT have their cake and eat it - they are just to greedy - and cannot see they are doing all this damage! - This hairbrain roofing plan is just like putting a [italic]"sticking plaster"[/italic] over a wound, to fix a problem they (G.C.C.) created!

This idea is preposterous. The hugely damaging impact on the architecture in itself would be enough to halt this if only common sense prevailed. Worryingly the Orthodoxy within the Council seems to see "development" of [bold]any[/bold] sort as "good" and the status quo a "bad". The present GoApe/Pollok Park case is a depressing example of this trend. The Purcells & Booths of this world do not seem to be the brightest or most imaginative among us but they are in a position to cause great harm.

c'mon folks it's just an idea kicked into the public domain. dunno whether it will move beyond an intial feasability but we could at least wait and see where it goes before the ill-informed comment brigade get started. ps to all the negative posters: you must be decendants of all those people who said that 'wheel' thing will never catch on; waste of time...blah blah blah...

[quote][bold]CT[/bold] wrote: This idea is preposterous. The hugely damaging impact on the architecture in itself would be enough to halt this if only common sense prevailed. Worryingly the Orthodoxy within the Council seems to see "development" of [bold]any[/bold] sort as "good" and the status quo a "bad". The present GoApe/Pollok Park case is a depressing example of this trend. The Purcells & Booths of this world do not seem to be the brightest or most imaginative among us but they are in a position to cause great harm.[/quote] Here here CT! You spot on there! Just to add another - The Stefan Kings of this world are equally detrimental. Financial investment in our city may look and seem great to those blind enough to see the damage it can also do to our architectural and historical assets. Turning Glasgow into "Glasvegas" and some kind of circus for the clowns ( Councillors ) to perform in front of the media with their boasting rants. Personally, Glasgow's scoring on taste and decency, style and substance in equal measures is failing miserably. This is not negativity or miserable posting. This is those who care passionately about our city who want to see it improved - but not just the City Centre - and Shopping Centres being built. Wheres the investment in Glasgow as a whole. Wheres the investment in building more rented and affordable housing stock ? Wheres the investment in cleaning up areas of the city neglected, and avoided when showing the committee deciding who won the 2014 bid ? And, wheres the investment in tackling the increasing culture of binge drinking and violence that comes hand in hand ? The cosmetic appearance of our city is not a long term solution to improving Glasgow peoples problems which lie under the surface (to councillors) and are ever emerging - they cannot be ignored anymore!

Could be a plan to make Glasgow Smiles better again. Nothing worse than shopping in the cold, wet and wind. Brisbane, Australia, has areas covered with glass in its main shopping area, and this allows for cafes, buskers, along with shoppers to keep out of the worst of the weather. The area suggested would be an ideal place to try what is truly a gift to Glasgow and its citizens.

roofs are expensive, the price of merchandise will certainly be double, the retailers will pay heavier taxes,air cleaners will be in use,maybe even heating and air conditioning .....the consumer will get it in the rump.....AGAIN (i think the people who had this idea had been for a holiday somewhere in monaco and came back with this brilliant idea to 'pretty' the place up.

[quote][bold]leesome[/bold] wrote: Could be a plan to make Glasgow Smiles better again. Nothing worse than shopping in the cold, wet and wind. Brisbane, Australia, has areas covered with glass in its main shopping area, and this allows for cafes, buskers, along with shoppers to keep out of the worst of the weather. The area suggested would be an ideal place to try what is truly a gift to Glasgow and its citizens.[/quote] I agree leesome.... Hey, People Power, There is no one in this great city of ours that is at logger heads with the council than me....a taxi driver putting up with enormous running costs and a tariff that hasn't raised to compensate. Anyway, if this was to go ahead, do you honestly think that public safety would be comprimised? A for pigeon droppings & the sound of rain hitting the roof...comon...give us a break...use Rainex rain repellent in that case lol!!! The physical height of the buildings is no obsticle, infact building a frame to compensate at any height is infact very simple...I used to build all kinds of structures in the building trade, there is nothing to it honestly!! If the cover is built the way I think it would, it would only be taller than the highest building, hence, no smaller buildings will be hidden!! Utilising sensible, intelligent lighting, the architecture can be enhanced AND emphisised. Maybe some of us weegies will actually notice the splendour of our buildings for a change because of this. I am the city's BIGGEST critic when it comes to new builds and architechture...so believe me, I do not take a project like this lightly if I ever thought OUR...MY...buildings magnificance were to be comprimised!! As for ventillation/aircond itioning...lets take our large malls as an example of how effective that is!! QUESTION - If it is pouring from the heavens, storm force winds and bitterly cold outside, would you rather shop in the city center or go to one of the covered malls?? As a taxi driver, we experienced the WORST christmas ever probably because folks are now doing there shopping outside the city center in the covered malls(braehead, silverburn etc) So it all makes sense.....and would look as trendy as hell for the city!!!!! FORGET GCC....lets move on.!!!!!!

Donny, As much as I want to agree with you my points still stand....... This is no more than a "sticking plaster" over a wound created by G.C.C. They should of thought a bit more before they allowed places like "Silverburn" ; "Braehead" and "The Fort" As much as I want to feel this will be sensitive to the architecture of Glasgows splendid Buchanan Street - My feelings remain the same. This call of Mr Mortimer to [italic]"Push forward his plans"[/italic] is typical of the way entrepreneurs, and big business men of the Stefan King variety use their financial muscle and clout to influence Councillors. Where will the Public Consultation be ? How long will the public be given to voice concerns, objections ? Will their be a Public Meeting ? Will their be proper displays in place in Libararys (etc) to give people as much informatio & notification as they are entitled to ? These questions are not unreasonable - simply genuine concerns that this plan will be pushed through like every other - with little by way of consultation. Glasgows Transport Museum ( in it's new location) as stunning as it will look when it is complete - is to cost £74 million - with further public donations being asked for. Just how much of the publics money will be used for this project ( if at all?) To me - there are more questions than answers, and doubts rather than praises! Until people are convinced that this will not destroy the way in which Buchanan Streets fine Architecture is portrayed and viewed a roof to me would be a huge mistake! Those who do not wish to get wet have every option to go into Buchanan Galleries and the larger stores within Buchanan Street at present. Maybe there is a market for Brolly stands / stalls at the top & bottom of Buchanan Street. But - I for one - would far rather be cold & wet and still be able to look up and see the sky and my fine cities architecture. Not a glamourised, overpriced glass roof top - however high or rain / pigeon poo proof it is.

I'm surprised at the negativity to this idea. It has definitely been to the benefit of both Greenock and Clydebank in the past.

Whether it has been of benefit to Clydebank is highly negotiable - for many I have spoken to - they have all said - and I also believe that Clydebank Shopping Centre, has been slowly dying ever since it's modernisation, roofing, upgrading, or renovation. It's quality of shops may of improved slightly, but it is a far cry from how it used to be - and with such stiff competition now, is it any wonder. G.C.C. just love to do everything backwards, and we the public have to be the ones to speak out against it's ridiculous plans for it to finally stop spouting spin, and rhetoric and start listening to us. It is we the voting public whos votes many of these cowboys rely upon - fortunately, or unfortunately - however people wish to look at it.

Some one mention transport museum. Their is a waste of space, a beautiful flat roof space available for the public to sit out-side a high watching the river. Add a cafe and a glass roof to a small area, what a money maker...c Mind you I thought that also about SMG's new building, glass roof and surround in place would make a great studio subject to sound proofing.c be idea for a magazin format show or even the news? c

Will tell you one thing leesome, I visited the new Clydeside BBC and was less than impressed by it's so called rooftop patio. Without any kind of roof - it was open to the elements, and with patio furniture unused, and rain soaked - clearly this was a design flaw, expecting that Glasgow would escape the rain.

getting rid of the beggars and buskers should improve the status of the area, what's the point in turning the street into a glorified greenhouse with the imminence of global warning