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Glasgow's George Square partially reopens after major revamp

News imageBBC People walk around George Square in Glasgow. It has new paving stones, benches and trees planted. The City Chambers stand in the background with fencing around the eastern part of the square. BBC
Fencing on the western part of George Square has been removed

Glasgow's landmark George Square has partially reopened to the public after a major redevelopment.

Work to revamp the square began at the start of 2025, with a water feature, raised lawn and sheltered seating among the plans.

Fencing on the western section of the landmark - next to Queen Street Station - was removed on Friday, with work expected to be completed by the end of October.

The area has been repaved, trees have been planted and new seating is in place.

News imagePeople walk around George Square in Glasgow. It has new paving stones, benches and trees planted. Fences remain to the east.
It is expected to fully reopen at the end of October

George Square was expected to open in August 2026 but the date was knocked back after the local authority confirmed a slight delay to redevelopment plans.

The delay is being blamed on "a number of factors" including the discovery of uncharted underground services.

The phased reopening started in June with the first section along the north carriageway coming back into use.

News imagePeople walk around George Square in Glasgow. It has new paving stones, benches and trees planted. The bronze statues can be seen in the background and fences remain around the eastern section.
A family event is planned for this weekend to celebrate the reopening

Work at the western end has now been completed, with a large family event planned for the weekend to celebrate.

Glasgow City Council said the surrounding streets will be temporarily traffic-free, with families invited to enjoy activities for all ages.

Further sections will then be opened to the public when it is safe to do so, with the final fences expected to be removed by the end of October.

News imagePeople walk around George Square in Glasgow. It has new paving stones, benches and trees planted. The bronze statues can be seen in the background and fences remain around the eastern section.
The bronze statues have also been refurbished as part of the revamp

George Square's famous 11 bronze statues and the Sir Walter Scott Monument have also undergone restoration as part of the process.

The council recently announced that the statue of Sir John Moore - a British army general who suppressed a slave revolt in the Caribbean in the 1790s - - will be left without a sword when it is returned to public viewing.

The sword went missing in 1980 and has been absent ever since, but recent conservation work to refurbish the statue included a recreation of the weapon.

However, after taking account of a report from University of Glasgow about the general's military career, the council decided not reunite the statue with a sword.

When George Square itself reopens later in the year it will be part of a recently launched historic trail in the city that highlights Glasgow's role in the British Empire and the city's connections with the Atlantic slave trade.