Pilot scheme for Glasgow City Centre Lane Activation Fund begins

A new fund aims to unlock the full potential of the 90 lanes in Glasgow city centre with a pilot scheme exploring what can be achieved with these assets for the city.

The City Centre Lane Activation Fund has been established to create opportunities for demonstrator projects so the people of Glasgow and visitors to the city see these lanes as part of a vibrant city centre. The pilot has a fund of £100,000, and individual projects will receive a maximum of £5,000 funding.

The fund will enable and encourage lane owners, communities, businesses and creative communities to work together and come forward with ideas which will develop activity in Glasgow's city centre lanes.

Many lanes in the city centre are already fantastic places which are destinations in their own right, but other are underdeveloped and either unused or unattractive. It is hoped that this fund will create catalyst events which help all stakeholders recognise the value of developing lanes as attractive, interesting places could have for communities, visitors and businesses, and the Lane Activation Fund will make the first steps possible.

Details on applications can be found at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/laneactivation, and proposals and requests for further information for potential projects should then be submitted to: ian.elder@glasgow.gov.uk / 0141 287 8504.

The Lane Activation Fund is part of the council's recently approved City Centre Lane Strategy which aims to encourage owners to realise the potential of the lanes as an important part of the character and heritage of Glasgow, fitting with the ambitions of the strategy in developing them as a place to stay and live; and a place to visit and enjoy.

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: "The pilot for the City Centre Lane Activation Fund will allow us to work with the people and organisations who use these lanes to develop proposals to bring them to their full potential. We can all look forward to seeing the plans that are brought forward and then supported through this fund."