Glasgow City Council Estimates Five-Year Delay For Union Street Fire Site Rebuilding

Glasgow City Council Leader Susan Aitken has indicated that construction on the Union Corner site, significantly damaged by a fire in March, could be delayed for five or six years. Aitken suggested that the planning and consultation process for the land might extend until approximately 2030, largely due to the building's intricate ownership arrangements.

These comments were made at an event last week organised by The Glasgow Bell. Glasgow City Council has confirmed it is evaluating various options for the site across short, medium, and long-term horizons.

The devastating fire on Union Street, which began in a vape shop on 8 March, spread extensively. The building is managed by Stelmain, acting for Dunaskin Properties, while the ground-floor retail unit where the fire originated is owned by Afton Estates. This fragmented ownership is a primary factor in the anticipated delays before development proposals can advance.

Senior officials within the local authority reportedly concur with the Council Leader's projected timeline. A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council stated: "We are continuing to work on making the site safe — at this point, focusing on works on the western gable wall — with a view to reopening Union Street as quickly as possible. Beyond that, we are working with the owners on how the site will look and feel and how it could be used in the short, medium and long-term."

A recovery group, including design and architecture professionals, has already been formed. Only the façade of the 1851-built Union Corner building, predating Glasgow Central Station, remained after the March blaze.