Stone planters, greenery and new seats have been installed in and around George Square in Glasgow as part of work to improve the look and feel of city centre Spaces for People physical distancing measures.

While the new measures remain practical as a COVID-19 suppressant, their softer, greener appearance offers a more pleasing look whilst also working to support business recovery as people return to our city centre.

Mature trees which will complete the refresh will be installed into planters next week.


New surfacing has been applied to the roads immediately adjacent to George Square, with complementary Spaces for People work due in the coming weeks around St Vincent Place and Queen Street.

Recycled planters filled with a variety of eye-catching, attractive species are also now in place at Merchant City.

The new measures at George Square replace the water filled barriers that were initially installed at the height of the first lockdown, and allow a fresh focus on delivering temporary infrastructure where it's most needed and with an improved, more welcoming look and feel.

The refresh is part of the Scottish Government funded Spaces for People programme, administered by Sustrans which has seen the council implement a wide variety of temporary measures across the city during the pandemic to provide extra space for walking, wheeling and cycling.