Plans to allow one of Sauchiehall Street’s most distinctive venues to continue hosting weddings and events have been refused again, prompting its owners to warn Glasgow city centre risks being left with another empty building.
The Haberdashery, at 545 Sauchiehall Street, had applied retrospectively for permission to use part of its restaurant premises as an art gallery, private dining and function space, wedding venue and location for corporate events, markets and community gatherings.
The application would also have allowed the venue to operate until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Glasgow City Council’s planning committee rejected the proposals on Tuesday (29 September) following a tied 4-4 vote. The application had been recommended for refusal by planning officials.
It is the latest setback for the independent venue, which transformed a long-vacant unit on a struggling stretch of Sauchiehall Street after opening in 2022.
The owners have reacted angrily to the decision, warning it could result in another empty premises on a street already struggling with vacant and boarded-up properties.
Nicola Fairful, co-owner of The Haberdashery, said: “Afton and I opened The Haberdashery in May 2022 with the hope of providing something we felt Glasgow was missing.
“When we found the venue it had been lying derelict for over ten years, the front was covered in graffiti and it had become an eyesore to locals.
“Over the last four and a half years we have invested everything we have, emotionally, physically and financially into this business.
“We truly believe that The Haberdashery is now an asset to Sauchiehall Street and to Glasgow as a whole.
“We want to make it clear that The Haberdashery is not a nightclub or a bar open to the public.
“The overwhelming support we have received on this application alone reflects the role we play in our community.
“One of our biggest challenges has been the lack of understanding around noise mitigation. We have gone to great lengths to address any sound issues.
“We care deeply about this business and the community around it.”
Afton Ferguson, co-owner, added: “We have created a space with a diversified purpose, and with that we have become an asset to the people and visitors of our city.
“Since opening we have had zero incidents of anti-social behaviour in or associated with our space and since implementing our noise mitigations we have not had a confirmed case of noise nuisance.
“Ultimately I must emphasise that without today’s consent our doors will close and The Haberdashery will once again be another boarded up building on Sauchiehall Street.”
The owners have warned the decision risks adding another empty property to Sauchiehall Street at a time when the famous Glasgow street is still attempting to recover from years of disruption, changing shopping habits and the impact of the Glasgow School of Art fires.
The latest application attracted 112 representations, with 104 in support and eight objections.
Supporters argued The Haberdashery had helped bring life back to an underused building, created employment and contributed to the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street.
A near neighbour said: “My wife and I live on Sauchiehall Street near The Haberdashery. We bought the flat when our kids were students because it was ideally situated for the university, the art school and the nightlife for which Sauchiehall Street.
“Nightlife unfortunately does come with the sound of noisy drunks or the odd street altercation.
“We have never, however, been disturbed by excessive noise by The Haberdashery.
“Sauchiehall Street I would argue is the main thoroughfare to the west end. As such it is frequented by tourists going to the bars and restaurants at Finnieston and Byres Road and other attractions in the city centre.
“I want these things to provide the visitors with their take home memories of Glasgow and hope they don’t become one of kebab shops, vape shops, boarded up shops and urban decay.”
Objectors raised concerns about disturbance to residents, including noise generated by customers gathering outside the premises to smoke or vape.
Planning concerns also included the potential impact of noise and disturbance on neighbouring homes and what officials considered inadequate provision for active travel.
The Haberdashery already has permission to operate as a restaurant but has been using the building for functions and events since 2022 without the separate planning consent required for that use.
A previous retrospective application was rejected by councillors in September 2025 by nine votes to five following complaints about noise from residents in the building.
At the time, the business said it had invested in soundproofing and commissioned independent acoustic assessments in an attempt to resolve the concerns.
The 6,604 sq ft venue was created by Afton Ferguson and Nikki Fairfull, who restored premises which had been vacant for more than six years following the closure of the Christopher Wray lighting showroom in 2016.
The Haberdashery takes its name from a ladies’ tailor which operated from the building for more than 50 years from 1923. The restored space has since been used for weddings, private dinners, corporate events, exhibitions and other gatherings as well as operating as a coffee house and restaurant.
The latest refusal leaves the future of the events side of the business uncertain.