A GLASGOW street is forming the first part of a new culture and entertainment quarter.

The North Quarter scheme will at first focus on Renfrew Street but it is hoped work will eventually link it to Speirs Locks and Port Dundas.

A report by Glasgow City Council says although Renfrew Street lacks identity, the area is home to 10 arts institutions including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow School of Art, the Theatre Royal and the Royal Concert Hall.

They are comp-lemented by other venues including the Cineworld Multiplex cinema complex.

Speirs Locks is a grow-ing arts cluster anchored around Scottish Opera and premises used by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The report says: "This area is developing a distinctive cultural vibrancy which is transforming the location and securing its economic prosperity and social future.

"Port Dundas is develop-ing a strong business core as well as a destination for outdoor sports including Paddlesports Glasgow and will soon be the home of West Brewery which will represent a destination in itself."

Liz Cameron, the council's executive spokesman for jobs and the economy, said there is a growing relationship between the three hubs.

BUT she added the social, economic and environmental potential of the project can be achieved only by making it easier to move between them.

She said: "Further improvements to the public realm are essential and the area is characterised in many places by a lack of active frontages, street clutter and domination of vehicle traffic."

Mrs Cameron said the vision for the area must include rebranding as an arts, culture and entertainment quarter and capitalising on the arts and culture groups through an effective PR and marketing plan.

She added: "A wide range of ideas, concepts and initiatives have been put forward by the various local stakeholders with an interest in the North Quarter project.

"While there are ambitious proposals, until further funding is secured it is unlikely many of the larger-scale activities could be implemented."

THE first phase will concentrate on the area to the south of the motorway to the north of the city centre.

It will involve recruiting a project manager and drawing up an action plan which will focus on smaller scale issues such as cleansing, lighting, tidying up vacant sites, removing redundant street structures and dealing with antisocial behaviour.

Mrs Cameron said "Over the last few years, we have seen the emergence of several arts hubs in the north of the city centre through the efforts of the city council and our partners.

"The vision for this area aims for strengthening and greater connections between these hubs and creating an attractive and distinctive cultural destination.

"The two-stage approach to the development of the North Quarter will allow short-term progress before a Masterplan will tie in this vision with the new city centre strategy."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk