May 1 2025

Rainton Construction has been appointed to refurbish George Square and its environs by Glasgow City Council, ahead of a site start in June.

The £20.5million contract covers the square itself as well as connecting streets which are to be paved in stone. An informal children's play area, sensory gardens and a raised lawn platform will also be delivered.

New species of tree will be planted to complement Norway Maple and Cherry trees in the Square with new seating to add to the remembrance benches and feature lighting. The new tree species to be planted in George Square and the surrounding Avenues through this project include ‘Robin Hill’ Pink Juneberry; ‘Frans Fontaine’ Hornbeam; ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud; Oleaster; ‘Autumn Gold’ Gingko; Burgundy Sweetgum; a couple of Rowan species; Flowering Cherry species; and Pin Oak.

The eastern portion of the Square responds to the formal uses connected with the City Chambers and the Cenotaph and a further raised green area will be created in front of the Cenotaph.  The western part of the Square will support more informal uses with space for cafes to spill out and a generous paved area for events.

Councillor Angus Millar said: “The appointment of Rainton means the main construction works are now just weeks away, adding real momentum and a sense of excitement to this historic project.  Glaswegians will already have seen the construction site starting to take shape but the appointment of this contractor is the last major piece of the jigsaw.  Over the 16 or so months from June, we will see a new and significantly improved public space take shape – a new square on a par with many of our international peers, one Glaswegians can be proud of, and which is fitting of a city of our standing.”

 The new look George Square is scheduled to complete by August 2026 as part of the Avenues public realm programme.

15 Comments

#1 Posted by Plant Lover on 1 May 2025 at 16:43 PM

How those non native tree species contribute to NPF4 Policy 3?

#2 Posted by town planner on 1 May 2025 at 17:43 PM

Non-natives tend to be less of an issue in urban locations. Wouldn't want them in Highland rewilding projects tho.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 1 May 2025 at 19:40 PM

Aye these are pretty common urban trees. Reason there are so many different types is for resilience. It means that disease - if it breaks out - is limited only to certain species. Same principle deployed at the first phase of Sauchiehall avenue. Seems sensible.

#4 Posted by Rain Town on 1 May 2025 at 19:47 PM

These are the same useless amateurs that were responsible for the mess on Sauchiehall Street

#5 Posted by George on 1 May 2025 at 21:10 PM

Meanwhile, against the view from the public consultation, GCC have scrapped the water feature which was a key part of the new square. Seem to have plenty of funds for avenues in Govan but quietly drop a key element of the main city square, vey dissapointing but typical of this SNP led council https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/25126992.glasgow-residents-disappointed-decision-axe-feature/

#6 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 2 May 2025 at 09:59 AM

OMG -- it just gets worse and worse.

Name checking individual trees must be a low even for the student politics levels of GCC and the talking heads involved.

16 months from June ...
They must be still looking for the "seeds" for the trees.

#7 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 2 May 2025 at 10:02 AM

Tree resilience strategy -- basics in other words.
The fact that it is given pride of place in the PR guff tells you all you need to know about the project itself.

Pretty thin gruel needing as much padding as the PR gadgeys cab come up with.

Not good.

#8 Posted by Roddy_ on 2 May 2025 at 11:57 AM

Phenomenal ...FBOT - now an arboriculturalist. Is there no end to his talents? A polymath for our times. We should all be grateful. :)

That he is also an inadvertent comedian is a bonus.... 'name-checking individual trees' :) :) . Brightened my morning...

#9 Posted by Riddy on 2 May 2025 at 12:52 PM

i cant help but think there is some kind of "condescending bore off" going on. The irony of it all

#10 Posted by Roddy_ on 2 May 2025 at 14:06 PM

Nah - just a wee bit of fun. :)

#11 Posted by Roddy_ on 2 May 2025 at 14:47 PM

Interesting to see how much support there was for the now omitted water feature at the Stage 2 Engagements.

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/media/19107/George-Square-Plan-Stage-2-Report/pdf/21014_220923-Project1_Stage_2-Report_Draft_Issue.pdf?m=1746184312293

Okay - so this is cleary a budget oversight based on the reported figures of £2.5m (for the water feature). In fact it is a glaring budget oversight - approx 10% of the capital budget. Why was it still included in the tranche of drawings last year badged as 'final design'. The council and their cost consultants need to explain this discrepancy and they need to say whether it will be future-proofed so that it can be implemented at a later date.

As it stands, it seems that this will now be the dedicated 'events' space - albeit that it could have still become that by turning off the water feature. Also from the above report:

'Opinions were generally positive about introducing more of a cafe culture into the square, including potential kiosks positioned in the square itself, however there was a clear shared opinion to prevent the square from becoming an overly commercial space'.

There are those, of course, who see nothing wrong with the omission - and that's fine. There are others, like myself, who would like a full explanation given the above consenus in favour of it.

#12 Posted by Johnjo on 2 May 2025 at 17:28 PM

A waste of time. The newly landscaped areas will quickly be allowed to deteriorate into the gum-spattered mess which the west end of Sauchiehall Street quickly became after landscaping.

#13 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 2 May 2025 at 19:57 PM

Day trip to Damascus -- can work wonders.

Now that the nettle has been grasped regarding value and content hopefully there is further progress regarding improved timings and completion dates.

Masterplanning -- would that be design for slow learners?

#14 Posted by Ben on 6 May 2025 at 11:05 AM

Thank goodness this is finally on site, it is long overdue. When completed, George Square will once again take its rightful place as Scotland's principal urban square, and a place for visitors to take photos that is an asset to be proud of, rather than an embarrassment. Well done to all involved.

#15 Posted by Heidfirst on 7 May 2025 at 10:41 AM

I as one who originally suggested a water feature for the square. However, as time went by & the cost of both installing & running such an item became clear I have wavered. It could be attractive though, & in a warming climate during summer could help mitigate the urban heat island effect of all that hard landscaping.

Post your comments