Glasgow Central Station Reopens Fully
Glasgow Central station will reopen all platforms and operate a full timetable on Wednesday for the first time since a major fire affected a nearby building.
The main entrance remains closed and a small exclusion zone is still in place within the station; however, facilities such as shops, the ticket office, and toilets will reopen.
The fire, which started on Sunday 8 March in a vape shop on Union Street, destroyed a Victorian building located at the junction with Gordon Street, leaving only the façade standing.
Network Rail reported substantial progress in demolishing the historic building and securing the area to allow all platforms at the station to reopen.
Rail services from Glasgow Central's high-level platforms were suspended for 10 days following the fire.
Last week, platforms seven to 15 reopened, and operators began running a reduced timetable.
Network Rail has now reopened platforms one to six, enabling the resumption of a normal timetable.
The main Gordon Street entrance and the Union Street entrance remain closed as part of the ongoing exclusion zone.
Passengers can access the station via the upper Hope Street entrance, the Hope Street driveway, and the low-level entrances.
Network Rail stated that the reopening followed detailed inspections, cleaning, repairs, and operational checks.
Which Services Are Returning?
A limited timetable was reinstated on several routes last week. ScotRail services that had been suspended since the fire will now resume.
Altered routes will also return to their normal schedules.
Avanti West Coast will restore its full timetable, running two trains per hour.
Passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling.
Impact on Surrounding Area
The fire caused disruption to many local businesses and affected bus travel along Union Street, a key public transport route.
Glasgow City Council, responsible for safety at the fire site and surrounding area, confirmed that the exclusion zone remains in place.
This means some businesses around Gordon Street, Union Street, and Renfield Street—including branches of Sainsbury, Tesco, and the Yorkshire Building Society—remain closed.
Buses are still unable to travel down Union Street, so diversions continue.
Cause and Details of the Fire
The fire began at approximately 15:45 on Sunday 8 March in a vape shop on Union Street, with firefighters called shortly after.
The blaze engulfed the entire building at the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street, adjacent to Glasgow Central Station.
The building, known as Union Corner, dates back to 1851, predating the station which opened in 1879.
The structure collapsed, leaving only part of the façade standing.
Glasgow City Council has demolished the remaining façade and continues to remove rubble from the site.
