HUNDREDS of Glasgow residents have spoken out against controversial plans to demolish a number of popular businesses to make way for a new hotel.

Applicants George Capital are looking to flatten the Blue Lagoon, O Sole Mio restaurant and the Iron Horse Bar, among others, on the corner of West Nile Street and Bath Street, to build a hotel.

Developers described the buildings, which are over 100-years-old, as 'not of special interest' and 'incapable of being suitably repaired or refurbished' in their assessment submitted to the council.

The site currently holds five businesses and over 50 employees.

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Since the application was submitted, owners of the businesses under threat have fought back.

The Iron Horse bar generated a petition attracting over 2,000 signatures while O Sole Mio forced agents Savills to re-survey the building after it was found an inspection report submitted as part of the plans was outdated.

In just two months, over 400 individual objections have been submitted to Glasgow City Council.

Among those taking a stand against the development are the Blythswood and Broomielaw Community Council, Lord Provost Eva Bolander, Bailie Christy Mearns and Councillor Angus Miller.

A petition created by the Iron Horse Bar, described as the “spiritual home” of the Tartan Army, has garnered over 2,000 signatures alone with some objectors coming from as far as Belgium, Poland, Australia, Philippines, Azerbaijan, America and Spain.

Jim Brown, Chair of the West of Scotland Tartan Army, sent a lengthy objection to Glasgow City Council, stating that The Iron Horse has been the one “constant” feature of the area.

He added: “The club is proved to call The Iron Horse - home. The club was established over twenty years ago, meets on a monthly basis in the excellent function rooms provided and the Iron Horse Bar acts as host to the group of fans from throughout Scotland on match days.

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“Such is the reputation of The Iron Horse it attracts football fans from throughout the world as they follow their own teams to the city.”

He added: “Attracting more visitors to the city centre is a positive objective, however, those visitors wish to experience the history and culture of Glasgow, the friendliness of Glaswegians and its traditional independently owned pubs, The Iron Horse is a shining example of that and it is of course one of the very few that remain in that area.”

Rod Graham, of The Good Spirits Co, which operates out of offices on West Nile Street and Bath Street, said: “The proposal would destroy two long established local businesses.”

Writing to Glasgow City Council, Councillor Eva Bolander added: “Loss of the existing building will mean losing the historical and traditional architectural context for this area.

“In the Central Conservation Area Appraisal there is specific mention of low level non-listed buildings and their importance for the overall character of the heritage environment.

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“Heritage is also one of the key pillars of the City’s Visitor Tourism strategy and this proposal to demolish a heritage building is damaging to this strategy.”

Chardon Hotels, who currently owns the city’s Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, have also objected citing that there are “too many hotel developments being proposed in Glasgow”.

A design statement submitted by the developers acknowledges that the buildings are “considerably” more than 100-years-old but says that they “show no features of Architectural merit, are not considered to be of special interest and, as a result, have not been Listed.”

It goes on to say: “Almost every individual building remaining in the Central Area Conservation Area which dates back to a similar time has previously been Listed.

“The fact that these buildings have not been considered worthy of Listing, reflects their lack of individual character, or Architectural merit. The buildings have plain elevations with no detailing or other features of any merit."

The plans are still to be considered by Glasgow City Council.