Glasgow 2014: Anger at council’s £44k floral bill

Glasgow city council were blasted yesterday after it was reported they had spent £44,000 on two floral sculptures of the Commonwealth Games mascot Clyde.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 GMT

The floral sculptures are based on Clyde, the mascot of Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014. Picture: TSPL

The two 15 foot tall garden figures were specially commissioned for the Games, with one being placed outside of the Kelvingrove art gallery and the other in Glasgow Green. The sculptures comprise of 6,000 plants and are expected to remain at both sites for at least 15 years.

The bill for the figures was said to have been included in the £1.4 million budget for ‘dressing Glasgow’, however Andy Silvester of the Tax Payer’s Alliance told the Sun: “We would expect more than a glorified hedge for £44,000. Those in charge should trim back their spending and make sure they deliver the Games on budget.”

Council chiefs have defended their decision, a spokesman said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure visitors have a memorable experience.”

• In Pictures: Clyde, the Glasgow 2014 mascot