Glasgow retailers urged to join group for sector

INDEPENDENT retailers across Glasgow’s city centre are being urged to join a new group to give the sector a stronger voice in economic development.

Stephen McCranor from Greaves Sports, Stuart Patrick of Glasgow Chamber of commerce and group chairman Paul Mitchell of Frasers. Picture: Contributed

The Glasgow City Centre Retail Association aims to retain the city’s status as the second-largest retail economy in the UK. Backed by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, it will create a single voice for both large stores and small shops.

Headed by chairman Paul Mitchell – general manager of Glasgow’s House of Fraser – it officially launches today with the backing of a dozen of the city’s biggest retailers.

However, more than 1,300 letters have been sent to smaller businesses in a bid to draw the entire sector together.

“We want to attract all the independents – they are hugely important to the uniqueness of a city,” Mitchell said.

Among those backing the group is Greaves Sports, Scotland’s largest independent sports retailer. Its director of communications, Stephen McCranor, will serve as the association’s deputy chairman.