A CLOSING date has been set for developers to come forward with plans for a prominent Merchant City site.

Glasgow City Council’s subsidiary company City Property wants bids for interest in the land at Ingram Street submitted by 28 August.

The site, between Candleriggs and Albion Street, is currently a car park and features an iconic wildlife mural on a gable wall.

Marketing material states: “A mixed-use development is sought for the site to maintain the vitality and improve vibrancy of this district of the city centre.

“Upper floor land uses which will be supported include residential, hotel, serviced apartments, office, cultural and leisure.

“High quality contemporary and complementary architecture will be essential given the rich townscape character of the Merchant City.”

It continues: “A pre-requisite of all proposals will be the establishment of active commercial ground-floor uses to activate the streets at pedestrian level.

“These include Class 1 (retail), Class 2 (professional and other services) such as banks/dental practices etc. and Class 3 (food and drink) such as cafes, restaurants and bistros.”

Merchant City and Trongate Community Council have been campaigning for the site to become a park. An application made in 2018 for a hotel was later withdrawn.