It was clearly a day much like today - grey and rainy - when this photo of Glasgow Cross and the start of High Street was taken.

But how much has the historic street changed over the years - and is it for the better?

It's a question which has raised its head again and again in recent years.

High Street is one of the oldest streets in Glasgow, dating back to medieval times and providing a main route from the cathedral down to the cross and on to the river Clyde (now the Saltmarket).

An old Glasgow close

Did you know that the University of Glasgow was there from 1563 to 1870? That was before the west end existed, and when Kelvingrove was created those academics upped sticks and left the city centre behind.

In fact, much of the area was covered in slums in the 19th century - with Glasgow growing in size and the industrial revolution coating the city in a layer of soot, it wouldn’t have been the nicest place in Scotland.

One of the oldest streets in Glasgow, High Street was once a slum where the city's poorest lived

Fast forward to modern day High Street and new buildings are popping up, including Glasgow Life headquarters by the train station - but some complain that the road continues to be neglected.

As reported on Glasgow Live in 2016, one shopkeeper revealed stories of raw sewage running under the historic buildings at the top of the street, rot spreading through the tenements and roof tiles on the slide.

Raw sewage problems have long blighted the historic tenements on High Street

It was also the subject of a short film produced by a Glasgow student, and other shopkeepers called on the city authorities to act before High Street falls to ruin.

In December, the Glasgow Greens complained that the historic street was 'being left to ruin', now boasting a 'steadily growing graveyard' of To Let signs.

Green Councillor Christy Mearns said: “Every effort needs to be made to revitalise this important medieval corner of our city, which holds immense cultural and historic value.

“Small businesses add so much to our high streets and should be encouraged to do business here, not turned away."

A spokesman for City Property, responsible for the commercial units, maintained that “reducing the number of vacant shops on High Street, as well as providing business support for current tenants, is a priority”.

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