GLASGOW'S No1 shopping street could be transformed into a glamourous Italian-style covered "galleria" after a £50million property deal.
GLASGOW'S No1 shopping street could be transformed into a glamourous Italian-style covered "galleria" after a £50million property deal.
Businessman James Mortimer wants a roof erected over Buchanan Street in a bid to fight back against out-of-town malls.
Mr Mortimer feels the dreich Scottish weather lessens the street's attraction as a retail centre compared with the glass-covered shopping meccas of European cities like Milan and Paris - not to mention the likes of Braehead and Silverburn.
He has now called for a meeting of planners and business people to push forward his plans.
Mr Mortimer's call comes after his firm Lynnet Leisure spent £50m buying a property at the junction of Buchanan Street and Royal Exchange Square.
The square is well-known for it's "roof" of sparkling fairy lights, which bring a touch of the continent to the many pavement cafes and restaurants in the area.
Mr Mortimer wants his building, which houses Starbucks, Vodafone, Bench and BDP architects, to continue the Mediterranean feel.
Lynnet Leisure already owns an adjoining property which is home to the private members club 29 and the Rogano restaurant.
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."
Mr Mortimer said everyone he had spoken to about the plan had been enthusiastic and he wants a meeting with business people, the Chamber of Commerce and the city council to get the ball rolling.
He added: "We need the best architects and designers to come up with something modern and attractive for Buchanan Street."
Lynnet director Stephen Marsh said: "Projects of this scale have been successfully executed in a number of key European cities.
"The city centre needs to fight back against out of town shopping and leisure centres such as Braehead and The Fort.
"We must think big and keep up momentum as the Commonwealth Games approach and maintain Buchanan Street as one of the top shopping destination in the UK."
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, welcomed the idea.
He said: "Buchanan Street is the jewel in the crown of Glasgow city centre. It is second only to Oxford Street in London as a retail destination. This would make it an even more attractive place to shop, to dine in the growing pavement cafe culture, and to socialise."
Matthew Hendry, manager of the new Sloans Market which will launch on February 24 in Morrison Court, linking Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, is also backing the idea.
He said: "Anything that attracts people to the city centre shops, especially on Buchanan Street, is great for retailers in the area.
"Buchanan Street is one of Scotland's busiest streets so we would welcome anything that boosts that profile. A covered area on Buchanan Street would add to Glasgow's cosmopolitan feel."
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Lesley Sawers said: "Investment of this scale and imagination is vital if Glasgow is to keep its place as a major short-stay tourist and leisure destination."
