Glasgow secures £10m recovery fund after historic station fire sparks demolition row
A £10 million recovery fund has been announced to help Glasgow after a major fire destroyed a historic landmark and disrupted dozens of businesses. The Scottish National Party (SNP) revealed the package ahead of the upcoming Holyrood election, with Finance Secretary Kate Forbes leading the pledge.
The blaze, which struck Glasgow's main railway station on Sunday, March 9, 2026, forced its closure and left around 71 nearby businesses affected. The funding aims to support recovery efforts as criticism grows over the council's handling of the aftermath.
The fire at Glasgow's historic railway station caused widespread damage, prompting immediate demolition by the city council. Heritage groups, including the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, argued that the council acted too quickly without consulting conservation experts. They urged officials to seek specialist engineering advice to preserve any remaining street facades.
Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney, who also serves as a director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, criticised the decision. He claimed the council should have explored ways to save the listed building before approving demolition. In response, a council spokesperson stated that heritage status does not override public safety concerns when assessing structural risks. Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced the £10 million fund as part of a series of pre-election spending commitments. The money will be managed by Glasgow City Council through a grant scheme, working directly with impacted businesses. Additional support includes raising discretionary non-domestic rates Hardship Relief from 75% to 95% for those affected. At the same conference, Forbes also pledged over £500 million for childcare expansion and up to £10,000 in deposit support for first-time homebuyers. Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken welcomed the fire recovery funding, noting that the incident had consequences beyond the local area.
The £10 million fund will provide grants to businesses hit by the fire, with the council overseeing distribution. Hardship Relief for affected firms has also been increased to ease financial pressure. Meanwhile, the demolition decision continues to face scrutiny from heritage organisations and local politicians.
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