Get ready for Glasgow 2014

Firms will be able to access specialist support to help them understand how anything from deliveries to staff travel might be affected by the Games – and how they can plan ahead to avoid problems.

Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014 Ltd are coordinating work to keep the city running in the lead up to and during the Commonwealth Games - a process known as City Operations.

The Get Ready Glasgow campaign has been designed to tell residents and businesses about what these changes will mean for them. As part of this, Games partners will be engaging with businesses and residents to make sure they are prepared for some of the changes that the city will experience this summer.

The campaign has already produced a business ready guide and hosted an event attended by more than 300 business leaders representing 150 companies. Today (Thursday 13 February), it began the roll-out of travel advice for businesses, meeting with dozens of influential business intermediaries who can help make sure city firms are prepared for the Games.

A series of workshops is already planned – and businesses will also be able to access online self-assessment tools and tips to help them build their own travel plans.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

“This summer, Glasgow will host its greatest ever party – but there is still serious business to be done during the Games and we want local firms to benefit as much as possible.
 
“We are acting now to ensure that businesses understand how the way our city runs will change this summer, so they can start to plan ahead and get prepared.
 
“Glasgow will be open for business during the Games, but it won’t be business as usual, so we need to get ready.”

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will see over 6,500 athletes and officials come to Glasgow for 11 days of fantastic competition that will put Glasgow and Scotland on the world stage. “The Games are less than six months away and the excitement and interest is building like never before, from the unprecedented demand for our ticketing programme to the excitement of the Queen’s Baton Relay that has been seen around the Commonwealth.

 “We know the city will be bustling with activity come Games time and will be an ideal opportunity for business to showcase their capabilities and benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

“It will also mean that Glasgow and the surrounding area may have to operate differently to ensure we can deliver an outstanding Games that everyone can enjoy. By working together and making sure we are informed, prepared and ready; we can secure lasting benefits for communities, businesses, the city and the country as a whole.”

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said:

 "Given the importance of keeping Glasgow open for business, we look forward to working closely with the Travel Advice for Business team to provide our members with resources and to help them develop tailored travel plans.
 
"Businesses continue to request that key information about the Games is made available as early as practical and, with less than six months to go, we envisage regular updates via Get Ready Glasgow.”
 
With many businesses operating across Scotland and the UK, the drive to plan ahead for the Games also extends beyond the city boundary.

Hugh Gillies, Head of Transport Scotland’s 2014 Team said:

“Our nation’s transport system is amongst the best in Europe and 2014 offers a marvellous opportunity to showcase the Scottish Government's ongoing investment in infrastructure and services.

“We continue to lend our support to Glasgow 2014 and Games partners to ensure our transport system makes a full contribution to a successful Commonwealth Games while enhancing the nation’s worldwide reputation as a great place to live, work and invest.

“Everyone, from businesses and commuters to residents and spectators, has a role in making Scotland shine even brighter in 2014. They can play their part by helping to make 2014 a real transport success by planning their journeys carefully through the Get Ready Glasgow website and Traveline Scotland journey planning app.”

Up to 1 million tickets are being sold for competition events, with thousands of others enjoying the atmosphere at live sites and watching sporting action at un-ticketed events.

At times, transport networks will be busy coping with the increased demand that hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will bring, and roads and public transport will be busier than usual.

Road closures will be required around competition venues, live zones and on road events days.

The Get Ready Glasgow campaign is designed to inform people and help them prepare, should they need to. A website – www.getreadyglasgow.com – has been set up as a single source of information about the impact the Games will have on Glasgow and will continue to be updated with new information.

People can also sign up for email updates to stay informed or follow on twitter at @GetReadyGlasgow