Glasgow canal festival seeks business support

By Stephen Harris

Organisers of Glasgow’s canal festival are seeking local businesses to fund this year’s event.

The city council was a key financial supporter of the 2008 celebrations but will not be reprising the role this year.

Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, which includes the council and waterside regeneration company Isis, is now looking for alternative funding.

Gillian Lang, spokeswoman for the council, said: “It was always the intention for us to take more of a back seat in subsequent years, letting the local community take ownership of the festival.”

Brian McGraw, group manager for the council’s development and regeneration services, said: “We are trying to get people motivated about the canal’s regeneration, but we can’t maintain that level of commitment in the current economic climate.”

Last year’s festival was organised by Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership with the Waterways Trust Scotland and local housing associations.

Additional support came from drinks company Diageo. Activities included canoeing and kayaking, boat trips, exhibitions and live music.

The first festival was organised in October last year to promote the canal’s proposed development.

Masterplans for sections of the Forth and Clyde were approved by the council in December and it is hoped construction will begin later this year.

The scheme involves plans for 700 private and social rented homes at Maryhill Lock while and commercial and industrial properties at Speirs Wharf Lock.