Glasgow sees fall in visitors after major Union Street fire
Business leader encouraged by ‘collective focus’ on city’s recovery
The devastating fire in Glasgow which closed of one of Scotland’s major rail terminals led to a sharp drop in visitor numbers to the city, according to a new report.
Footfall in Glasgow was down 11 per cent in March compared to the same month in 2025, which Glasgow Chamber of Commerce (GCC) said was a direct reflection of the transport disruption caused by the Union Street blaze.
The leading business body said in the wake of the reopening of Glasgow Central Station, there was a “rapid rebound” in visitors, which it said was indicative of “sustained public confidence and a strong willingness to return to the city centre.”
However, it conceded that the economic impact of the city centre fire had been “significant” at an already “challenging” time, and called for major investment and progress on projects such as the Clyde Metro in order to expedite the city’s recovery.
The GCC’s quarterly economic report showed while footfall in the city was up by 6.8 per cent in January - with an increase of some 338,988 visitors - this then fell by 2.7 per cent in February, before the even steeper drop in March.
The day after the fire itself, footfall fell by 60 per cent from the previous year. Sales in the city in March were also down by 14.2 per cent compared to the same period 12 months previously, contributing to an overall year-to-date decrease of 3.8 per cent.
The Glasgow Pulse report pointed out that “spend across the city has remained on the decrease for the last two years,” adding this was “reflective across the nation as a whole.”
A positive highlight in the report was the football data on 27 March, just two days after Glasgow Central Station was fully reopened - visitor numbers reached 214,000, up from 203,000 on the same day last year.
Stuart Patrick, the chamber’s chief executive, said there was “much work to do” on the site of the fire itself, and to support the businesses based in the no-access zone. However, he said he was “very encouraged” by the response to the incident and the “collective focus” on getting the city “back up and running.”
He said: “These figures are encouraging from a recovery perspective, but there is no doubt that the economic impact of the Union Street fire has been significant for a city already facing challenging conditions.”
Mr Patrick added that “to see footfall return to typical levels within days of Glasgow Central Station reopening is a positive sign,” but noted: “The broader picture points to the need for continued focus on increasing footfall and supporting city centre businesses.”
The report said that if Glasgow is to remain competitive and continue attracting investment from major employers, progress on projects such as the Clyde Metro must be treated as a “strategic priority” in the year ahead.
“If there is to be a lasting legacy from the Union Street fire, it should be as a catalyst for renewed efforts to bring more people into the city centre - driving investment, supporting businesses and creating jobs,” Mr Patrick stressed.
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