JOINT PETITION FROM SMALL BUSINESSES IN MERCHANT CITY

Request for a Permanent Arrangement to Allow Overnight Outdoor Furniture to

Remain in Place

To: Glasgow City Council

We, the undersigned small businesses operating in Merchant City, strongly support a

permanent and sustainable future for small businesses in the area.

Our businesses create local jobs, attract visitors and tourism, support neighbouring

businesses and contribute to the local economy. Positive business activity also helps make

Merchant City a welcoming, vibrant and enjoyable place for residents and visitors.

Request Regarding Outdoor Furniture

A key issue for our businesses is the ability to leave suitable outdoor furniture in place

overnight, arranged in manor to prevent public use.

The furniture used by our businesses is non-permanent and not permanently fixed.

Requiring businesses and staff to remove and relocate furniture every evening creates a

significant practical and operational burden.

We therefore ask Glasgow City Council to allow suitable outdoor furniture to remain in

place overnight, subject to reasonable conditions and appropriate safety

requirements. This would provide a more practical and sustainable arrangement for small

businesses while reducing the need to repeatedly move heavy furniture.

Our Commitments

We are committed to:

• Maintaining clear and safe pedestrian walkways.

• Maintaining suitable access for wheelchair users, prams and people with mobility

needs.

• Keeping emergency access clear.

• Keeping furniture safe, clean, tidy and appropriately arranged.

• Ensuring furniture remains non-permanent and is not permanently fixed.

• Complying with all relevant Council, planning, licensing and safety requirements.

• Working with the Council on any reasonable conditions regarding overnight furniture.

We believe small businesses and public spaces can work successfully together. We

respectfully ask Glasgow City Council to work with us to establish a permanent, practical

and sustainable arrangement allowing suitable non-permanent outdoor furniture to

remain in place overnight.

We are willing to meet reasonable requirements and work constructively with the Council

and local community to ensure this arrangement works for everyone.