Final support call for businesses affected by Glasgow fire

Businesses affected by the massive fire that wrecked a historic building on Glasgow's Union Street have until the end of Sunday to apply for financial support.

The Fire Recovery Fund is being administered by Glasgow City Council, drawing on funding from the Scottish government's £10m commitment to support the recovery from the fire.

Hundreds of businesses were affected by the blaze, which broke out in a vape shop on 8 March and quickly spread further up the street.

A total of 73 businesses lost their premises in the Forsyth House building fire, while dozens of others have lost trade due to the area being cordoned off in the aftermath.

Three levels of support are available, depending on how close a premise was to the fire and the impact it had.

More than 110 applications have already been submitted, with more than 50 others in progress.

Firms that are yet to apply have until 23:59 on Sunday to do so.

£25,000 is on offer for each of the 73 businesses who lost their premises in Forsyth House, with £15,000 available for each of the 78 businesses in the current cordon and £2,000 for each of the 700 businesses within the initial cordon.

When the fund was first announced, councillor Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said supporting local businesses was a key priority in the aftermath of the fire.

Shona Robison, who was the finance and local government secretary at the time of the announcement, said the funding would "enable businesses to access financial help quickly while ensuring support reaches those most in need."

She added that this help would begin the process of rebuilding and renewing that part of the city.

The fire destroyed a Victorian building at the junction with Gordon Street, with only the façade left standing.

Rail services did not operate at all from high-level platforms at the nearby high-level Glasgow Central train station for 10 days after the fire.