Glasgow's landmark George Square will fully reopen later than expected after Glasgow City Council confirmed a slight delay to redevelopment plans. Work to revamp the square began at the start of 2025, and the project is now due to be completed by the end of October rather than in August 2026 or early September as previously anticipated.
The revamp includes a water feature, a raised lawn, sheltered seating and feature lighting. The short delay is being blamed on "a number of factors", including the discovery of uncharted underground services.
Why has the reopening been delayed?
The council said construction teams have encountered unexpected complexities while working on the square, including underground pipes, cables and other infrastructure not shown in existing records. These issues have required additional work and have pushed back the final reopening date.
David McEwan, the divisional director for property, city deal & major projects at the city council, said there had been unexpected "complexities" that construction teams had faced while working on the square.
He added: "Contractors have encountered various challenges, including the discovery of underground pipes, cables and other infrastructure that were not identified in any existing records – all of which required additional work to address.
"While it is now clear that this will mean that the full reopening of George Square will take place slightly later than originally planned, our focus remains on opening as much of the square as possible as soon as it is safe to do so."
The city council intends to reopen the square in phases, with a large event planned to celebrate the reopening of the western part of the square in September. The local authority said the surrounding streets will be temporarily traffic-free, with families invited to enjoy activities for all ages.
The phased reopening of George Square is already underway, with the first section, along the north carriageway, coming back into use last month. Work at the western end of the square will then be completed at the end of August, with the family event taking place on the first weekend in September.
What will happen when the western section reopens?
A large family event will be held to mark the reopening of the western part of the square in September. Glasgow City Council said the surrounding streets will be temporarily traffic-free and that families will be able to take part in activities for all ages.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: "This will be a weekend where people can walk, play and start to get to know their new square, as the biggest section yet reopens."
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. The council said it will continue to prioritise safety while allowing people to begin using finished parts of the square before the whole project is complete.
When will the statues and monument return?
The square's famous 11 bronze statues will return in early August, while restoration work on the Sir Walter Scott Monument is nearing completion. The council said people will see significant progress over the weeks ahead as paving and planting work continues.
Aitken added: "People are going to see a lot of progress over the weeks ahead - with the statues returning next month, as well a lot of work on paving and planting.
"Rather than keeping the entire site closed until every element is complete, we will continue reopening sections in phases - allowing Glaswegians and visitors to start enjoying the new spaces as they are finished and ahead of the full reopening in October."
The redevelopment has been under way since the start of 2025 as part of an 18-month project to transform one of Glasgow's best-known public spaces.
An artist's impression of what the redesign should look like at the end of the 18-month project
The phased reopening means the square will remain partly accessible before the final fences are removed by the end of October, rather than staying closed until every element of the revamp is finished.
More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland
Glasgow's George Square to go behind hoardings as revamp begins
Revamp of Glasgow's George Square to begin January 2025
Key Facts
- George Square's full reopening is now expected by the end of October.
- Work on the revamp began at the start of 2025.
- The delay is linked to uncharted underground services, including pipes and cables.
- The first section, along the north carriageway, reopened last month.
- The square's 11 bronze statues are due to return in early August.
