‘Like a bomb hit’ Scots moan as grim reality of Glasgow revealed after best city list says it’s better than Barcelona

GLASGOW has been named one of the best cities in the world – beating the likes of Barcelona and San Francisco.

Travel experts at Time Out have just released their Best Cities in the World list – a global snapshot of city living, with an emphasis on the factors which they believe make cities great places to live and visit.

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They quizzed thousands of city-dwellers to rank the best cities in the world right now for their sixth annual list.

And coming in at No30 this year is Glasgow.

New York took top spot, with Cape Town in South Africa coming second and Germany’s capital Berlin in at third. London took the fourth spot.

When it comes to Glasgow the experts said it was the people and affordable food that made the city a must visit destination.

They added: “Plenty of cities boast world-class food, beautiful scenery and popping nightlife.

“Only one is full of Glaswegians. Good food, happy people.”

But what do locals really think? We took to the city centre to find out…

‘SCARY AND INTIMIDATING’

LINDA Wilson, 56, from Glasgow revealed the only reason she comes to town is for work.

The Unite Union regional officer said: “Glasgow is an absolute mess, it’s the same everywhere you go in the city centre.

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“It’s not very inviting for people coming into the city. It’s quite scary, it’s intimidating.

“I have no idea who is saying Glasgow is better than Barcelona and San Francisco but it certainly can’t be from people in Glasgow.

“The loss of M&S so Sauchiehall Street has been absolutely devastating. I wouldn’t be in the town if I didn’t work here.

“People are going to end up going to these big outlets like the Fort and Breahead shopping centre. and it’s free to park.”

‘LIKE IT’S BEEN BOMBED’

FIREMAN Alex Muir from Maryhill has warned derelict buildings are a potential safety risk.

The 63-year-old, who attended a 2018 horror fire in Glasgow’s Victoria’s Nightclub, said: “Sauchiehall Street looks like it’s been bombed.

“We’ve got iconic buildings lying empty that no one is going to rent as they’re too expensive – they’ll let them run down and they’ll end up catching fire.

“I attended the Victoria’s nightclub fire and they had to bring the building down.”

“I no idea what part of the city they’re talking about, saying it is one of the best in the world.

“I’ve been to Barcelona and San Francisco and both cities are spotless compared to this. I was in Barcelona a few years ago as a tourist

“Sauchiehall Street is one of the most famous streets in the world and it’s a disaster.

“The only way to improve the place is to spend a bit of money on it. Spend whatever money they need to spend.”

‘I’VE VISITED BOTH’

JOHN Houston, from Paisley, has visited both locations and said Glasgow doesn’t compare.

The retiree told the Scottish Sun: “I’ve been to both San Francisco, I was over a few years ago for work. San Francisco is a lot nicer than this, although it also has its bad points.

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“There’s a lot of beggars in San Francisco but there seems to be a lot more in Glasgow.

“As a tourist abroad, things always look a bit different as you’re visiting the local sights.

“Sauchiehall Street needs to be modernised, it looks bloody awful. It needs to be cleaned up a bit to make it a bit more attractive.

“This is one of the most famous streets in Glasgow and it’s totally rundown now.”

‘DETERIORATED SIGNIFICANTLY’

JOHN McCall from Glasgow, now Lanarkshire, has always worked in the city centre and told how he’s noticed a change.

The 58-year-old said: “The place has deteriorated significantly over the years, I’ve worked in town all my days.

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“Most of the shops are short-term lets, the streets are in an absolute state with litter and chewing gum. The place is horrible.

“The litter bins are covered in stickers and graffiti, I don’t think they’re doing enough to keep it clean.

“I’m in town nearly every day for work but I also come in on the weekends.

“I don’t know what the local authorities are doing with their finances, the place certainly needs more financial resources.”

‘TIMES ARE TOUGH’

AUDREY, 58, from north Glasgow, said rarely visits the city centre due to it deteriorating state.

The retired city centre worker told us: “It’s great that Glasgow is viewed so highly and I think the people have a lot to do with that.

“At the moment I have a couple of things that have brought me in more regularly.

“The city centre wouldn’t be my first option but a bit of regeneration would bring me back in.

“You see how sad the place looks with all the work going on.

“I think we should be trying to help all the people out on the streets as well.

“When you arrive at Central Station, it doesn’t give a very good impression when you see lots of homeless people.

“We have a social responsibility to try and do something about that.

“Times are tough but investment in people is crucial.”

‘DELIPIDATED’

RETIREE Isabelle Crombie, 68, from Shawlands feels that there is nothing to entice punters into the city.

She said: “The place is dilapidated. The place is falling to bloody bits.

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“There’s nothing to bring you to Glasgow.

“The only reason I’m in here today is to pick up something, other than that, you wouldn’t bother coming in.

“The place is needing a complete shake-up, it’s completely filthy.”