Drew Sandelands

Glasgow taxi drivers are expected to be able to add a temporary 25p fuel surcharge to fares for up to three months because of fluctuating fuel costs. Glasgow City Council’s licensing committee accepted recommendations from an independent review by Dr James Cooper, which also proposes minor changes to soiling, flag-fall, distance and time charges while retaining the £4.50 initial fare and 30p increment. The Glasgow Taxi Owners Federation objected that the review’s 1.31% cost increase understated inflation and questioned the consultation. The proposed tariff changes will be published for public representations before taking effect.

Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone generated £513,873 in penalty income in 2025/26, while operating costs rose to £781,765, producing a net expenditure of £267,892. The decline in revenue reflects fewer penalty notices as vehicle compliance and driver awareness increased. Cars accounted for 78% of fines, while 82% of appeals were successful, often because vehicles were compliant, exempt or linked to blue badge holders. The scheme’s earlier development costs were largely covered by Scottish Government grants, but no grant-funded expenditure has been recorded in the past two years.

Glasgow City Council granted Gurtyan Singh, who was jailed for 15 months after being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a private hire driver’s licence for one year rather than the requested three. Police Scotland had opposed the renewal after 653g of cocaine worth an estimated £15,650 and more than £24,000 in cash were found at a Glasgow property. Singh told councillors that he regretted the offence, had turned his life around and needed to return to work to support his family.

Plans to add 16 rooms to the Tartan Lodge hostel in Dennistoun have been withdrawn from Glasgow City Council’s planning portal after around 50 people, including MSP Paul Sweeney and local councillors, objected. Residents and community representatives cited 258 Police Scotland call-outs in two years, alleged anti-social behaviour and concerns about the operator’s management. While politicians supported temporary accommodation for vulnerable homeless people in principle, they argued that expanding this particular site would worsen existing problems and harm the area’s character.

Luxe Scotland has applied to Glasgow City Council for planning permission and listed building consent to replace a glass conservatory and construct a larger rear extension at the listed building at 31–35 Ashton Lane. The proposal includes a ground-floor bar and cellar, a first-floor terrace restaurant with a glazed canopy, relocated toilets and improved accessibility. The applicants say the expansion is needed to provide additional capacity and secure the venue’s long-term viability, while preserving the building’s unchanged Ashton Lane frontage. They also cite nearby student accommodation construction, future privacy and overshadowing concerns, and noise reduction as reasons for the canopy.

Lidl has applied to Glasgow City Council to demolish its Tollcross Road supermarket and replace it with a larger store. The proposed sales area would grow from 998 to more than 1,500 square metres, while parking spaces would increase from 112 to 125. The application forms part of Lidl’s wider expansion strategy in Great Britain, which includes seeking sites in nine areas of Glasgow and potential relocation or development in several neighbourhoods.

Blank Street Coffee has applied for a certificate of proposed lawful use for a new café at 164A Buchanan Street in Glasgow, its third venue in the city. The proposed premises would include 25 internal seats and primarily sell hot drinks for consumption on site. Glasgow City Council is assessing whether the café use is lawful or requires planning permission, with a decision targeted for September 18. The application follows controversy over the company’s Byres Road venue, where an alleged unauthorised change of use investigation was closed without action.