A director of a leading architects firm has criticised the '"woeful" lack of care of one of Scotland's most famous city centres.

The senior commercial property sector figure also said she felt "unsafe" in the city centre known for its culture, shopping and historic buildings, in an exclusive Herald interview.

Gillian Stewart, a director of Michael Laird Architects and chair of the British Council for Offices in Scotland, called for clarity on the "vision" for Glasgow amid ongoing unease over the condition of the city centre.

She also highlighted the challenge in retrofitting older office buildings to the highest modern standards.

Read deputy business editor Scott Wright's interview here

Family to sell famous Scottish hotel after 164 years

 

A famous Scottish hotel that has been owned by the same family since 1860 has been brought to market.

The renowned hotel has attracted some interestThe renowned hotel has attracted some interest (Image: Smith & Clough/Christie & Co)

The hotel with a "worldwide reputation" is regarded as "one of the finest and best-established hotels in Scotland", the agent said. 

The George Hotel, Inveraray, is described as being full of period charm and character, with 24 bespoke rooms, a lounge and cocktail bar, public bar, and restaurant and conservatory dining.

Read business correspondent Brian Donnelly's story here

Scottish university in free accommodation offer for students

 

A prestigious Scottish university is offering free accommodation to students undertaking new “partnership” degrees.

'We hope this makes the degrees a viable option for more students''We hope this makes the degrees a viable option for more students' (Image: Getty Images)

The University of Aberdeen will offer free accommodation to students in their third and fourth years of the new degrees being launched in partnership with Forth Valley College.

Forth Valley College, noting applications are now open for August 2024 entry, said: “The courses are the first partnership degrees that the University of Aberdeen has offered in conjunction with a Scottish college.”

Read business editor Ian McConnell's story here

BUSINESS VOICES

Household bills headed higher again and there's nothing GB Energy can do about it

 

Read business correspondent Kristy Dorsey's piece here

It’s the closing weeks of what has been a dreary excuse for summer, an unfortunately apt setting for the latest news on rising household energy prices heading into autumn.

'Labour has invested significant political capital in plans to establish a publicly-owned investment vehicle to help build low-carbon infrastructure''Labour has invested significant political capital in plans to establish a publicly-owned investment vehicle to help build low-carbon infrastructure' (Image: PA)

The next quarterly price cap announcement by industry regulator Ofgem is expected to be announced on Friday and will cover what energy suppliers can charge from the beginning of October through to the end of this year.

After two consecutive reductions in the maximum charges allowed, some might have hoped that the UK was on a steady path back to pre-crisis prices but that is not the case.