BUSINESSES affected by the Glasgow School of Art fire say they are slowing getting back on their feet thanks to the support of a dedicated council team.

The restaurateur responsible for Antipasti is due to open a new licensed Greek deli in Glasgow City Centre while the charity Paragon Music, based at the CCA, has been given a new office base to operate it out of.

Both moves were made possible with the support of Glasgow City Council’s Business Support team headed up by economic development manager Dominic Dowling.

The team of advisers, who are permanently based in Clockwise at the Savoy Tower, have been made available to businesses who have been affected by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art.

Dominic said: “We have developed good relationships with the vast majority of businesses on Sauchiehall Street. But we have the capacity and willingness to deal with more businesses.

“Our service has always been available but in terms of our response to Sauchiehall Street, it has been fairly unusual. We recognized how important Sauchiehall Street is. The Mackintosh building in itself is important but what is most important is our residents and businesses. We stepped up as soon as we had the opportunity to do so, when emergency services handed back control of the site over to us. Since that point we have been available seven days a week.”

Dominic and his team have offered advice to a variety of businesses. In the case of Antipasti, owner Neil Douglas has been supported by the team ahead of the launch of a new business. He is due to open up a licensed Greek deli in the Lime unit on Cowcaddens Road next month. Neil was given advice on licensing laws, environmental health and building control ahead of the opening by the team.

Neil said: “In relation to this specifically the team did a very good job.

“The council have given me the opportunity to develop the project and move it forward when I had time in my hands.”

The charity Paragon Music, who are based at the CCA, have been given a base to carry out their administrative work. The organisation has office space in the Tontine in Glasgow’s Merchant City.

Fiona MacLeod, Business Development Manager, said: “The Business Support people arranged for us to have some space at the Tontine.

“This allows us to meet and it is a good to have a bit of a home even though a lot of our stuff is in the office at the CCA that we can’t access.”

Dominic says his team have taken the approach of meeting the businesses on a face-to-face level in a bid to make them aware of the support available.

He said: “I am very keen that our business advisors aren’t office based and they are out and about speaking to businesses. This has been the most high profile case in my time here where we have been proactive and gone to the street.

“We are always looking at ways in which our business advisors can be more visible perhaps through regular drop-in surgeries and workshops across the city.”

He added: “I understand the helplessness that a lot of business felt. I think there has also been a point of frustration that whilst I’ve been a point of contact I have not been able to give people the answers they have been looking for.

“There is a great sense of civic pride about Sauchiehall Street and I am confident that the street will continue to be a success.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Since the first fire on Sauchiehall Street back in March, our Business Support team has provided advice and assistance to those businesses affected, and they continue to do so.

“Officers were placed on-hand in a couple of locations on Sauchiehall Street to offer a face-to-face service for those affected.”

She added: “We understand the impact that these fires have had on the businesses, and have done everything in our power – and in a variety of ways, such as help in dealing with insurers, finding alternative premises, supporting staff costs through the Glasgow Guarantee, and zero-rating business rates - to support them.”

You can contact the team on 0141 287 5333 or by email businesssupport@drs.glasgow.gov.uk.