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.
Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.
READ MOREHorne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREThe state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREBeloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!
READ MOREWith doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MOREScotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MOREThe limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREScotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MOREArtwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MOREGlaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORECineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MOREThis Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MOREThree powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MOREFirst Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORETopgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MOREAspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MOREThe Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MOREEl Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MOREThe curtain has closed on the 39th edition of Glasgow Jazz Festival, reaffirming its place as one of the UK's premier and much-loved jazz events.
READ MOREParalympicsGB athlete Stephen Clegg made a special appearance at Cadder Primary School to help deliver an exciting workshop on the importance of energy saving in partnership with British Gas.
READ MORE