It’s been a strange year hasn’t it?
Glasgow has been described as “filthy”, a “hellhole” and “a national scandal” — while simultaneously saving the Commonwealth Games and being named one of the best places to visit by Tripadvisor and Time Out (with the latter praising our “culture, colour, flavours, and thrills”). Govanhill was even crowned the fifth coolest neighbourhood on Earth, shortly after a Reform UK MSP branded it a “ghetto”. Welcome to Schrödinger’s Glasgow; a city that’s dead and alive at the same time, depending on whom you ask.
This contrast has got us debating something that feels surprisingly hard to pin down:
Is Glasgow actually on the up?
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There are those who, for their own political reasons, refuse to see any progress. Meanwhile, across the city, whole streets and neighbourhoods have been transformed — unrecognisable from a few decades or even years ago. There are, of course, still serious problems that grip the city. Drug deaths are rising, poverty endures, waste services have been cut to the bone, and the council’s homeless services are bursting at the seams.
And yet ... for all the clear room for improvement, could this still be one of the most exciting times to be a Glaswegian? People are returning to the city centre; our food scene is the envy of the UK; affordability is, believe it or not, better than in comparable cities; and major investment is flowing into historically neglected areas.
Join us on Thursday 15 October at Drygate Brewery for an evening of unpacking Glasgow’s greatest glories and deepest gripes.
- Is progress being distributed fairly around the city?
- How do we tackle youth violence as it creeps back up?
- Will Govan become Glasgow’s next big success story?
We’ll be joined by Orwell Prize-winning writer, social commentator, and hip-hop artist Darren McGarvey, alongside Emily Cutts, founder of the pioneering G20 Youth Project, and Andrew Hoolachan, senior lecturer in urban and regional planning at the University of Glasgow. With more guest speakers to be announced soon, we promise you it will be a thought-provoking night of lively debate, real stories, and practical solutions.
Event Details
📅 Date & Time: Thursday 15th October, 6:30pm - 8:00pm (Please take your seat 10 minutes before start)
📍 Venue: Drygate Brewing, 85 Drygate, Glasgow G4 0UT
🎟 Tickets: £4 Members // £8 Non-Members
Fancy continuing the conversation? 🍻
We’re keeping the debate going after the main event! Once we wrap up at 8:30pm, The Bell team will be heading straight to the bar for a well-earned pint, a chin-wag, and to keep the chat going. Whether you want to quiz our speakers, share your takes on Glasgow, or meet fellow readers, we’d love for you to stick around!
If you have any questions, drop us a line at info@millmediaco.uk.
