Month: June 2026

Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the appointment of Sean Murray as its inaugural Chief Executive.

Sean will join Let’s Go Glasgow BID in late summer 2026 from the SEC, where he has served as Head of Marketing for the past 18 years. During that time, he supported the launch of the OVO Hydro, led the rebrand of the SEC and helped strengthen the organisation’s position as one of the UK’s leading event destinations.

Established by city centre businesses following a successful ballot in November 2025, Let’s Go Glasgow BID will deliver a five-year business plan supported by an initial £14 million investment from levy-paying businesses. The organisation will focus on creating a cleaner, safer, more vibrant and more empowered city centre, working in partnership with businesses, stakeholders and public sector partners.

The creation of Let’s Go Glasgow BID marks an important new chapter for Glasgow’s business community and reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the city centre remains competitive, welcoming and successful.

Sean joins Let’s Go Glasgow BID following a career spanning more than 30 years in marketing, communications, tourism and place promotion.
Prior to the SEC, he helped deliver a major European-funded programme of event-led tourism activity designed to strengthen Glasgow’s visitor economy and international profile. He also played a leading role in the successful Back the Bid campaign that helped secure the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games for the city.

Kyron Keogh, Chair of Let’s Go Glasgow BID and Managing Director of ROX, said:
“The establishment of Let’s Go Glasgow BID is a significant moment for Glasgow city centre and for the businesses that invest in it every day.
“The Board was looking for a leader who understands Glasgow, understands partnership working and has a proven track record of delivering major projects and campaigns. Sean brings all of those qualities.

“Throughout a career spanning more than 30 years, Sean has played a leading role in initiatives that have helped strengthen Glasgow’s profile, support economic activity and bring organisations together around common goals.

“As we begin this new chapter, we are delighted to welcome Sean as our inaugural Chief Executive. We look forward to working with him to ensure Let’s Go Glasgow BID becomes a trusted, effective and influential organisation that delivers real value for city centre businesses.”

Commenting on his appointment, Sean Murray said:
“Glasgow is a city with enormous strengths, a strong business community and people who care deeply about its future.

“The successful BID ballot demonstrated a clear mandate from city centre businesses and a shared ambition to make a lasting difference. Through an initial £14 million investment, businesses have committed to a plan that will help create a cleaner, safer, more vibrant and more empowered city centre.

“My responsibility now is to ensure that investment delivers tangible results and practical value for levy payers.

“Successful city centres are built on partnership, shared purpose and consistent delivery. Let’s Go Glasgow BID provides an opportunity to bring businesses, stakeholders and public sector partners together behind common priorities and make visible progress on the issues that matter most.

“I am looking forward to listening, learning and working alongside businesses and partners across the city as we establish the organisation and begin delivering the commitments set out in the business plan.

The Glasgow city centre dispersal zone was established in March 2026 to support efforts to address anti-social behaviour and disorder.
The zone was initially approved for a period of three months until Saturday, 20 June 2026. Following a review of its use and impact, the dispersal zone will remain in place.

Between 20 May and 19 June 2026, officers used their dispersal powers 373 times, with 13 people reported to the Procurator Fiscal after returning to the area in breach of dispersal directions, 1 of those individuals was also arrested for Theft by Shoplifting.

Since its introduction on 20 March 2026, dispersal powers have been used 1118 times, with 68 people reported to the Procurator Fiscal after returning to the area in breach of dispersal directions. Of these,19 people have been arrested or charged in connection with other offences including Drugs, Assault, Possession of offensive weapons and knives, Sexual Offences, Theft by Shoplifting and Threatening or Abusive behaviour. Those arrested or charged over the period were aged between 17 and 56 years.

Dispersal powers allow officers to direct groups of two or more people to leave the dispersal zone if their behaviour is impacting on the safety and wellbeing of others. Those directed to leave are not permitted to return for a period of 24 hours.

The dispersal zone covers an area bounded by St Vincent Place, Glassford Street/Stockwell Street, the far side of the riverbank and York Street/West Campbell Street.

Superintendent Jackie Dunbar said: “Over the past three months, dispersal powers have provided officers with an important tool to help address anti-social behaviour and disorder and support the safety and wellbeing of those living, working, and visiting Glasgow city centre.

Throughout this period, we have worked closely with local residents, businesses, and partners, and sought feedback on the dispersal zone and its impact, using that feedback to help shape our ongoing approach.

The feedback we have received has been largely positive and, alongside operational data and our assessment of incidents in the area, has helped us inform our review of the dispersal zone and our next steps.

While the dispersal zone was introduced as a temporary measure and was never intended to be a permanent solution, our review indicates that it continues to be an effective tool. As a result, the timeframe for the dispersal zone has been extended while we continue to work with partners to address the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and disorder and develop longer-term solutions. Its use and impact will continue to be kept under review.
Our focus remains on ensuring Glasgow city centre is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.