This week was a horrendous one for Glasgow. The devastating fire didn’t just destroy a historic building — it also affected many surrounding businesses and the people who rely on them.

While scrolling through social media afterwards, I noticed a post on LinkedIn where someone said they were fed up seeing people talk about the building, claiming most of them probably never even noticed it before. I’ll be honest — that comment annoyed me.

Because for many of us, buildings like that are more than bricks and mortar. They hold memories.

For me, that building always takes me back to when I was wee. I remember travelling into town with my gran. When we reached that part of the city, I knew it wouldn’t be long before we’d be jumping off the bus and heading out on a shopping spree. Gran would always smile and whisper, “Don’t tell your Grampa how much I spent.”

In the early 80s, that same building also became a bit of a landmark for another reason. It meant we were nearing the pub. I might have been underage — but to be fair, so were plenty of others back then.

A few years later, it marked another moment in time. When my bus passed that building, I knew it was nearly time to jump off and head to Panama Jax. With 50p drinks and a dancefloor always full, a great night was pretty much guaranteed.

So when people say it was “just a building,” they miss the point. Places like that quietly become part of the backdrop to our lives. They mark moments, memories and milestones.

And that’s why, when they disappear, it feels like we’ve lost a small piece of our story too.

Glasgow has came into its own with this and you can help businesses affected by the fire. The GoFundMe community is coming together to support those affected. Donate to verified fundraisers today to help the people and families affected.

 

https://www.gofundme.com/en-gb/c/act/glasgow-fire-donate-or-fundraise?