A task force set up in the wake of two major Sauchiehall Street fires has announced its first plans to help affected local businesses.

The Sauchiehall Street Task Force met on Monday and now says support will be arranged for those who have lost their jobs.

Among the promises, members have pledged to ensure the Sauchiehall Avenue project goes ahead as quickly as possible.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the impact on what is a main Glasgow shopping street has been “ one of the biggest challenges to face the city in recent years”.

He said: “The impact upon businesses from these two major incidents has been huge.

“Even though parts of the street are trading as normal, many shops, restaurants and bars have been forced to close temporarily due to vital restrictions within the safety cordon and others have seen their footfall reduced dramatically.

“It’s hard to underestimate the negative effect this has had on many businesses locally, but the task force is determined to do all it can to alleviate the effects on traders in one of Glasgow’s most important and best-known thoroughfares.”

The street has been hit by two devastating fires in recent months, with a whole section closed off due to the blaze that destroyed Victoria’s nightclub.

It has also been badly-hit by last month’s inferno that engulfed the Glasgow School of Art and neighbouring O2 ABC concert venue.

That disruption is set to continue for several weeks after demolition trucks were yesterday put in place to start dismantling the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed GSA.

Structural engineers David Narro Associates and the contractor, Reigart, have prepared plans for the work that will need to be undertaken on the Mackintosh building. The main crane has been relocated to the corner of Sauchiehall Street and Dalhousie Street, and a second crane is expected to join it today.

The work to begin dismantling the south facade will start as soon as possible following approval of the methodology by Glasgow City Council Building Control.

Work is needed following the fire that ripped through the building, known as the Mack, on June 15.

The task force is made up of the local Business Improvement District (BID), Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

A full list of the actions agreed at Monday’s meeting will be shared on the chamber’s website, the BID Facebook page, through on-street ambassadors and on a local traders’ WhatsApp Group, as well as on the main Glasgow City Council website.

They also include liaising with the Association of British Insurers to support local firms having difficulties with business interruption claims.

They will also co-ordinate meetings for Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken and senior officials with businesses inside the safety cordon that have been forced to close.

The group will also liaise with Scottish Government about business rates for affected businesses and also look at new signage for businesses.

Mr Patrick added: “The sheer scale of the task is enormous, but, having spoken on a daily basis to various council departments, it’s clear they are doing everything humanly possible to mitigate the worst impact on local businesses and residents.

“To see the impact of these two fires on local businesses and residents has been very sobering and, while no-one is underestimating the sheer scale of the challenge before us, the task force has outlined a number of key priorities to try to minimise the negative impact as much as possible.

"While this work is under way, we encourage the public to continue their support for the traders who have remained open, still choosing to visit

Sauchiehall Street and its offering for retail, leisure or entertainment.”

Ms Aitken said: “The council will work with our partners on the taskforce and all those affected by these tragic fires to ensure action is taken to make Sauchiehall Street the fantastic city centre location it should be.”