Heroic efforts to champion Glasgow West End honoured

Scotland Loves Local Awards 2024: Celebrations as Visit West End is named as High Street Hero.

Article Source: Scotland Loves Local
Last Updated: 25 October 2024 8:18

Work to champion and attract more people to Glasgow’s vibrant West End has been hailed as heroic.

Every year, thousands of people are drawn to Byres Road and Lanes by a variety of events, activities and initiatives organised by Visit West End.

Its supporters were celebrating today as the organisation was named as the Scotland Loves Local Awards 2024 High Street Hero for Glasgow, recognising its relentless drive to boost business and make the area more attractive.

Formed in 2015, Visit West End is the organisation behind the hugely popular Byres Road Book Festival, as well as the area’s renowned Christmas lights and ever-expanding work to promote local businesses via social media.

It is also a prominent advocate for the wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, urging people to choose local and get behind businesses in the community.

Its nomination stated: “Whether spearheading festivals or fighting our corner against proposals which risk doing harm to our businesses, Visit West End’s work is immense.

“People turn to them for everything. They’ve a tiny team who are promoters, problem solvers and absolutely critical to helping pursue the priorities of local businesses to help them survive, thrive and grow.

“The team really does go above and beyond.”

As the business improvement district for Byres Road and Lanes, Visit West End’s work covers the length of Byres Road, together with Ashton, Cresswell, Dowanside and Ruthven Lanes, as well as Vinicombe Street, Great George Street and Havelock Street.

Its plans for the future include a range of projects to enhance and improve the area, including the possible installation of CCTV and improvements to Ruthven and Dowanside Lanes.

Businesses gathered to celebrate the High Street Hero accolade.

Reacting to the news, Visit West End chair John Turner said: “I am thrilled beyond words that the decade of hard work by the Visit West End team has been recognised by this award, which is thoroughly deserved.

“My heartfelt thanks are due to Deborah and Eleanor who form the current team, and to Kitty, Jessica and Hannah who have worked with us in the past, for all that they do and have done.

“I have been privileged to work in the BID office part-time over the last year and a half and have seen the amount of work and effort that they put in to make things happen in the area. Well done to them all.”

During the recent Scotland Loves Local Week, Glasgow MSP and Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar met with West End business owners as they urged people to choose local.

Visit West End has also signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge, encouraging its members - and the wider community - to prioritise spending with local businesses.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.

Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The passion with which the team at Visit West End champion the area is impressive. They’re at the forefront of so much, making a real difference to businesses and lives.

“They’re a key part of the community, with their work boosting the local economy. Our judges agreed that this award is well deserved. Congratulations to everyone who makes what Visit West End does possible.”

Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850

More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.

ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green

Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.

77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups

The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations

Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!

Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.

Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup

Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.

Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio

Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.

New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden

Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025

From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.

Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail

Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!

KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End

The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026

The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!

Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow

The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future

Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026

Scotland's biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free.

Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic

This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.

SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible

For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Glasgow Taxis Cup returns for its 21st year in 2026

Now in its twenty-first year, Glasgow Taxis Cup, will see more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17+ sports in 21+ events!