GOVAN could one day boast a street of shops to rival the Merchant City, a public meeting in Govan's Pearce Institute has heard.

GOVAN could one day boast a street of shops to rival the Merchant City, a public meeting in Govan's Pearce Institute has heard.

Over 60 local people were told that if Govan gained conservation status, it would then be in line for around £3.6 million in funding over several years, which could transform the town centre into a stylish shopping mecca and tourism magnet.

Much of the Merchant City has been reborn in recent years with stylish firms moving into old buildings, which have retained their unique frontages.

At last night's meeting it was claimed conservation status would allow new firms to be eligible for grants to encourage them to move in.

As revealed by the Evening Times last night, a £1m campaign is being launched to breath new life into the area.

"The attitude is that Govan is a dump," said Govan man, Councillor John Flanagan at the meeting.

"Govan is not a dump. It is a great community and we need to rally round and make sure Govan gets what it deserves."

Derek Neilson, 75, Govan born and bred and chairman of East Govan Community Council, said: "I move we get this approved as quickly as possible so we can get on with improving Govan. This is long overdue."

Councillor Flanagan added he would not like to see the mistakes of the 1970s repeated, when the then council decided Govan should have a new shopping centre and built a new road.

"Streets were demolished and the population collapsed," he said.

While people approved the renovation of the Farmhouse in Elder Park, Councillor Flanagan said there was concern about the Linthouse Housing Association proposals to build six barns in the park.

But he pointed out there would be stringent planning rules for any development.

Cathy Johnston, group manager, design and environment, Glasgow City Council, said: "It would be important to improve the shop frontages and hopefully encourage the uptake of vacant shops.

"We brought the Heritage Lottery Fund people here and they were struck by how much of the old shop frontage was still there.

"The experience in the Merchant City is that in some cases the old shop fronts are behind the new shops and just need repairs."

Many of Govan's buildings are already A and B listed, but if central Govan gets conservation status, it will mean planning permission has to be sought before any changes are made.

However, the main benefit will be that the council will be able to apply for funding from several sources.

If the executive committee of Glasgow City Council approves the conservation area bid for Govan as an area of special architectural and historic interest in the next few weeks, it will then go to the full council for approval.