Glasgow Footfall and Spending Surge Outpaces UK Cities 2026

Key Points

• Glasgow city centre footfall increased by 6.8% in January 2026 compared to January 2025.
• Overall sales rose by 10.1% during the same period.
• Fashion sales recorded a significant increase of 21.5%.
• Food and drink spending rose by 8.7%.
• Glasgow outperformed Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and the Great Britain average.
• Data was ներկայացd to Glasgow City Council’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee.
• Councillors highlighted the importance of communicating positive city centre performance.
• Officials acknowledged efforts to promote Glasgow’s strengths and improve public perception.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) April 23, 2026 – Glasgow city centre has recorded a notable increase in both footfall and consumer spending, with new figures showing the city outperforming major UK counterparts including Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds.

What does the latest data reveal about Glasgow city centre performance?

According to a report presented to Glasgow City Council’s economy, housing, transport and regeneration city policy committee, footfall in the city centre rose by 6.8% in January 2026 compared with the same month in 2025.

The report further detailed that overall sales increased by 10.1% during the period. Within that growth, fashion sales saw a sharp rise of 21.5%, while spending on food and drink increased by 8.7%.

As outlined in the committee document,

“the trend of weekends and evenings performing above this average continues, which highlights the new way in which people are interacting in the city centre.”

The report added that Glasgow

“was ahead of all the comparators (Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and the GB average),”

indicating stronger relative recovery and consumer engagement than other major urban centres.

How did councillors respond to the findings?

During the committee discussion, Councillor Ricky Bell of the Scottish National Party (SNP) commented on the contrast between the data and public perception of the city centre.

As reported in the Glasgow Times coverage of the meeting, Councillor Bell stated:

“It strikes me that the messages coming from the report particularly around the improving position within the city centre in both footfall and night time economy revenues are almost at odds for what you would hear from the enemies of the city who love to go about saying ‘it is all dreadful.’”

He questioned what actions were being taken to ensure the positive data reaches a wider audience, asking about plans to “maximise that message” and ensure that “everybody hears that loud and clear.”

What actions are being taken to promote Glasgow’s recovery?

In response, a council official indicated that efforts are ongoing to communicate the city centre’s strengths.

The official stated, as reported during the meeting:

“We continue to inform anyone who will listen to us around the data and sing the city centre’s praises in terms of what it has to offer.”

Councillor Bell also raised the role of communication teams in amplifying the message. The official confirmed that staff “will take that on board,” signalling potential expansion of promotional efforts.

What did the city treasurer say about public confidence?

The city treasurer emphasised the importance of proactively shaping public perception and encouraging confidence in Glasgow city centre.

According to statements made at the committee, the treasurer said:

“We have to be proactive in saying to the city: ‘this is actually in a much better place than you have maybe been led to believe’. It gives confidence to people to come into the city and that grows the improvement position.”

This reflects a broader recognition within the council that economic recovery is not only driven by data but also by how that data is communicated to residents, visitors and businesses.

How are consumer habits changing in the city centre?

The report highlighted a shift in how people use Glasgow city centre, with stronger performance during evenings and weekends.

This pattern suggests an increasing emphasis on leisure, hospitality and social activities rather than traditional weekday retail alone. The growth in food, drink and fashion sales aligns with this trend, pointing towards a more experience-driven urban economy.

The 21.5% rise in fashion sales indicates renewed consumer confidence in discretionary spending, while the 8.7% increase in food and drink spending reflects sustained demand in the hospitality sector.

Why is Glasgow outperforming other UK cities?

While the report does not provide a detailed causal analysis, the comparative data shows Glasgow ahead of Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds and the national average in both footfall and sales growth.

This relative performance may be linked to local economic strategies, city centre initiatives, or shifting consumer patterns, although the committee discussion focused primarily on the results rather than underlying causes.

The findings were ներկայացd as part of an update on the city centre strategy for 2024 to 2030, alongside the city centre strategic development framework, indicating that the data will inform ongoing planning and policy decisions.

What role does the city centre strategy play?

The figures were shared within the context of broader strategic planning, specifically Glasgow’s city centre strategy for 2024–2030.

This framework aims to guide development, economic activity and urban regeneration over the coming years. The improved performance metrics may serve as an early indicator of progress, although councillors did not explicitly link the results to specific policy interventions during the meeting.

The inclusion of these statistics in the strategy update suggests that monitoring footfall and spending remains a key measure of success for the city centre’s regeneration efforts.

Background: What is driving focus on Glasgow city centre?

Glasgow city centre has faced a range of challenges in recent years, including changes in retail behaviour, the growth of online shopping and wider economic pressures affecting high streets across the UK.

Local authorities have increasingly focused on diversifying city centre activity, encouraging hospitality, cultural events and evening economies to complement traditional retail.

The city centre strategy for 2024–2030 forms part of this broader approach, aiming to adapt to evolving consumer habits while maintaining economic vitality. Monitoring indicators such as footfall and sales allows policymakers to assess whether these strategies are achieving their intended outcomes.

Prediction: How could this affect businesses and visitors?

If the current trends continue, increased footfall and spending could support business stability and encourage further investment in Glasgow city centre.

For retailers and hospitality operators, sustained growth in customer numbers may translate into higher revenues and potential expansion opportunities. The rise in evening and weekend activity could also influence opening hours, staffing patterns and service offerings.

For visitors and residents, improved confidence in the city centre may lead to increased engagement with retail, dining and entertainment options. Enhanced perception, as highlighted by councillors, could play a role in reinforcing these trends if communication efforts successfully reach wider audiences.