Your representatives have impressed upon us how much inspiration and forward planning is attached to the opportunity of hosting the Commonwealth Games.  The Governments at all levels are committing their support, but not just for the sake of the Games.  They can see economic and social dividends, which will transcend the community and will last well beyond the Closing Ceremony of the Games. And the people in the street and the business community have all put significant support behind this bid.”

Moving on from the technical evaluation Glasgow 2014 now turn their attention to selling the City, as they prepare to welcome all 70 nations, whose vote will determine the host city, to Glasgow this summer.  With the support of the Scottish business community we will ensure these voters take home one clear message; Glasgow wants to win and is ready to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Scottish businesses were quick to accept the challenge of helping the city win the Games when the Back Scotland’s Bid campaign was launched 18 months ago.  Over 700 businesses then attended a national business roadshows earlier this year, and this month companies and organisations have embarked on the third leg of the relay by prominently displaying a Glasgow 2014 sticker in their window.

The Glasgow-wide ‘Stick Up for Glasgow’ campaign is targeting companies of all sizes across all sectors ahead of the all important inward visits this summer.  Derek Casey, Glasgow 2014 bid director, was joined by Lesley Sawers, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to launch the latest business initiative.

John Lewis was the first retailer to accept the challenge of displaying their support, by turning their first floor fashion window into a giant live acrobatics exhibit with a Glasgow 2014 theme.  Commonwealth gold medal-winning gymnast Steve Frew and aspiring athletes from the Glasgow School of Sport twisted their flexible bodies to form the number 2014 in the window.

Speaking at the event, Dr Lesley Sawers said: “We must focus on convincing the Games Committee members who will come to the city over the summer that we should be chosen. The window sticker campaign is a highly visible way of demonstrating the popular support that undoubtedly exists, and I urge all businesses to take part. The Games can make a difference to the lives of everyone in the city and throughout Scotland, and the business community will continue to help spread the Bid message.”

One of Scotland’s most successful gymnasts Steve Frew said: “Glasgow 2014 is for everyone.  I’ve been lucky enough to compete for Scotland and know from experience that competitors, spectators and everyone involved in the sporting extravaganza that is the Commonwealth Games will have the time of their lives.  Support across the country has been immense.  Like me, companies across the city want to Back Scotland’s Bid.  This window sticker campaign allows business to show their support and ensure we are first to cross the finish line on November 9.”

To reinforce the vital role Scottish businesses can play in ensuring Glasgow wins the race to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games a breakfast briefing was held at the St Enoch’s Centre in Glasgow this month.  The latest event in Glasgow Chamber’s successful “Glasgow Talks ...” programme was led by Glasgow Council leader Steven Purcell and Head of Media and PR for Glasgow 2014 Rob Shorthouse. 

Together they updated representatives from over 100 Glasgow businesses on what lay ahead for the bid, explained how business could assist Glasgow in winning the Games and distributed the window stickers.  After breakfast 4 X 400m relay runner Gemma Nicol (20) handed over the baton to former Scots running star Brian Whittle, who now runs a successful Glasgow events company.

Speaking after the event, Susan Nicol, general manager of the St. Enoch Centre, said: “A successful bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 would deliver an enormous boost to business in Glasgow and to the wider Scottish economy. The potential benefits to the city’s retail sector in terms of increased visitors from the rest of the UK and overseas are huge. We are absolutely delighted to support the bid by hosting today’s event and we look forward to continued involvement in the campaign.”

The stickers come, which come in two sizes and are either full colour or silver giving the appearence of etched glass, can be requested by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Further Information:

> Glasgow2014.com