A pilot programme of supplemental street cleaning in Glasgow is to continue and be enhanced in the New Year, it has been announced.
Since April of this year, the Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District ‘Clean Team’ has been taking on tasks that fall outside existing Council cleansing, including clearing lanes, taking down fly-posting from lampposts, bins and utility boxes, removing graffiti and fly-tipping, and responding quickly when a business reports a problem.
Following an open tender which attracted five bids to the BID, which is supported by levy-paying businesses, Let’s Go Glasgow has appointed ABM to deliver and increase the Clean Team across Glasgow city centre from December 1, 2026.
During the Clean Team pilot, Let’s Go Glasgow said that a single team of two had completed more than 900 jobs, delivered more than 3600 cleaning hours, cleaned more than 66 miles of lanes and streets and filled more than 950 bags of rubbish.
It has also answered more than 250 requests from businesses within 24 hours.
Every hour of that work is additional to the services provided by Glasgow City Council.
Sean Murray, chief executive of Let’s Go Glasgow BID, said: “Businesses told us clean streets came first, and they wanted to see a difference quickly.
“In April we put a team on the streets to do exactly that, and the figures from the first six months show how much ground they have covered.
“All of it is in addition to what the Council already does. That was the promise when businesses voted for the BID, and it is the test we hold ourselves to.”
From 1 December, the existing team will work until 5pm rather than 2pm, seven days a week, and a second team of two will join them from 5am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.
Together, these changes will more than double the cleaning hours delivered each week. A new full-time Contract Support role will run the helpdesk, keep businesses informed of progress and contact them directly about graffiti, so that it can be removed more often and more quickly.
Murray added: “The pilot showed us what works, and that’s why we’re investing more.
“With two teams on the streets, a longer working day and someone whose job is to keep in touch with businesses, more of the city centre will be covered for longer and graffiti will be dealt with faster.
“The full service begins in the first week of December, during the busiest weeks of the Christmas trading period, which is when businesses most need the streets to look their best.”
ABM managing director Campbell Murdoch added: “The difference being made is clear to see.
“In six months, the Clean Team has cleaned 66 miles of streets and lanes and removed nearly 1000 bags of rubbish. But there is more to be done. With extended hours and extra people joining the team, Glasgow will benefit from a long-term, positive impact.
“We are proud to partner with Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District on delivering solutions for one of the most vibrant communities we serve.”
