VACANT shop units in a historic area of Glasgow are being transformed into temporary units for creative start-up businesses in an initiative that has already revitalised parts of Paris and London.

Some 11 empty units on High Street and Saltmarket have been extensively renovated for pop-up firms, mostly in the creative industries.

The Meanwhile Space project aims to both increase the vitality of areas by increasing footfall and support new and growing businesses.

The first pop-up, the New Glasgow Society art gallery moved in on May 21, with all of the other units set to be occupied shortly.

Read more: Glasgow Means Business: Battlefield barber shares some tricks of the trade

Based in the Saltmarket, St Andrews Street and High Street areas of the city, each space has a programme of events lined up over the next year, including exhibitions and workshops.

Glasgow Times:

The initiative has already seen success in London and Paris and is part of a council plans to revitalise the area, helping to develop creative organisations, create jobs and support economic growth.

It was launched yesterday by WASPS, a non-profit studio provider for creative tenants - which is taking on five units - and Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council.

She said: “The High Street and Saltmarket area is the historic heart of our great city.

“With its rich heritage, resonance with Glaswegians and proximity to the city centre, it has so much potential - but has been neglected for far too long.

“Meanwhile Space is a fantastic opportunity to not simply breathe new life into the area but to help nurture one of Glasgow’s key sectors, the creative industries.

“The flourishing galleries and creative spaces in adjoining streets show what can be achieved. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce will evaluate this project, highlight the best practices which may emerge to wider city centre property owners and then encourage the roll out of the approach to other areas in the city.”

Glasgow Times:

The initiative is one of 26 projects being delivered as part of Glasgow City Council’s High Street Area Strategy (HSAS) with the support of City Property Glasgow.

There will be an evaluation of the project by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, which will consider the roll-out of similar models to other parts if Glasgow.

Read more: Ambitious plans to transform tribunal court into hotel 

Audrey Carlin, Chief Executive Officer of WASPS, said: “WASPS is delighted to be taking on five units as part of the Meanwhile Space project.

“This initiative offers something that doesn’t already exist in the city – a transition space in which we can support creative people to move from an artist studio into a more public facing shopfront, ultimately allowing them to develop a sustainable business and contribute to Glasgow’s economy long term.”

Other tenants include TRACTion Cancer Support, which supports people affected by head and neck cancers.

The creative industries support more than 21,000 jobs in Glasgow, in around 2,500 individual enterprises.

Figures show that in 2016, the creative industries in Glasgow generated almost 900 million pounds - over one-fifth of the total produced by the sector nationally.