A number of small companies have been destroyed or broken by a big hearth in Glasgow metropolis centre.
The fireplace began on Sunday afternoon in a vape store on Union Avenue earlier than spreading alongside the B-listed constructing beside Glasgow Central Station. Giant elements of the four-storey Victorian constructing have collapsed.
Round 30 small companies, together with hair salons, cafes and barbers, have been impacted by the hearth with a number of premises fully destroyed and all gear misplaced.
Water has been pumped from the River Clyde to douse the flames, however the hearth has taken maintain of the Victorian buildings.
Observe alongside stay: https://t.co/zMUAcQvDV9 pic.twitter.com/cUgoK8Uqsd
— BBC Scotland Information (@BBCScotlandNews) March 8, 2026
Most of the affected enterprise house owners have arrange a GoFundMe web page asking for donations to assist them recuperate. On the time of writing, tens of hundreds of kilos has been raised.
One of many companies is CeCe’s Salon run by Courtney Mackinnon. Its fundraising web page says:
“Each chair, mirror, product, artwork, and piece of apparatus within the salon was chosen with care. During the last 4 years Cece’s has grown into one thing really particular, supported by a tremendous group of shoppers and associates.
“Tragically, this enterprise is Courtney’s solely supply of revenue. In in the future she has not solely misplaced the salon she labored so laborious to construct, but in addition her means to earn a dwelling. Operating a small impartial enterprise within the UK is already extremely difficult, and shedding every little thing so abruptly has created a state of affairs that’s each emotionally and financially devastating.”
One other founder, Levi McIntyre from Crybaby Hairclub, stated:
“Sitting right here this morning, I wrote out a spreadsheet of every little thing I misplaced. Each software, each comb and clip. My DSLR, my lenses and all of my digital pictures gear. All of my backbar and merchandise… little mementos and items from shoppers. It feels limitless. Sadly my insurance coverage is not going to cowl the contents of the studio, a horrific oversight and mistake on my half. So something helps as I rebuild.”
Commenting on the hearth, Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander stated:
“My ideas are with those that have misplaced their companies and livelihoods however I’m additionally saddened on the important lack of historic structure.
“My thanks go to the emergency companies who had been fast to answer the incident. Their bravery and dedication meant fortunately nobody was injured they usually labored tirelessly to deliver the state of affairs below management.”
