We're after your shoppers!

GLASGOW has launched a bid to steal Christmas shoppers from Edinburgh while roadworks clog up the Capital.

A £270,000 campaign will see posters advertising Glasgow as a Christmas shopping destination line Princes Street on bus shelters. The city will also get prime space at Waverley Station, where a massive billboard advert will bid to persuade shoppers to head west.

And television advertising will include prime time slots during programmes including Coronation Street and X Factor.

But the campaign – the biggest of its kind – has been given the cold shoulder by city leaders in Edinburgh, who say it is Glasgow shoppers that flock to the Capital for Christmas shopping.

The Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, which is behind the campaign, said its retail partners – including John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser – said this was a good time to target Edinburgh because of the tram construction misery.

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Our £270,000 Christmas Wrapped Up campaign is aimed at attracting more people to shop in Glasgow from right across the central belt, but with particular emphasis on Edinburgh given the disruption to roads in the capital.

"It was our retail partners who identified this opportunity and we thought it was a great idea.

"We are going all out to promote Glasgow's reputation for being Scotland's premier retail centre."

The campaign comes just days after the boss of a scheme to promote collaboration between Glasgow and Edinburgh quit. Laura Gordon's decision came amid doubts about the value for money the cities have seen since her appointment over two years ago.

City council deputy leader Steve Cardownie, who is also the city's festival and events champion, said: "It will take more than a few posters and some tram work to make me go to Glasgow to do my Christmas shopping. But all's fair in love and retail."

Despite being among the retailers that part-funded the drive to attract shoppers away from Edinburgh, John Lewis said it is just as supportive of Edinburgh campaigns.

Its Edinburgh managing director Andrew Murphy helped set up the business improvement district in Edinburgh, now Essential Edinburgh.

A spokeswoman for the retailer said: "If a Christmas campaign was presented in Edinburgh John Lewis would look closely at it."

Graham Birse, chairman of the Open for Business group and deputy chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have to concentrate on what we have to do, such as completing the tram work, making Princes Street the best it can be."

Cllr Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "We'd much rather work with our Glasgow counterparts . . . than to continue to perpetuate any perceived rivalry which in the current economic climate isn't conducive to anyone."

Edinburgh does not have a co-ordinated Christmas marketing campaign but the city's Winter Festivals are promoted through the media. The Open for Business Group is also providing free parking after 1pm on Saturdays in the city centre.

YOUR SAY: What do you think of the Glasgow campaign targeting Edinburgh?

David Bruce, 56, accounts manager, Almondbank Terrace: "It's not really surprising, what with all the tram disruption. It's too late to sort it by Christmas. It's just a lot of nonsense what is happening here."

John Rowan, 52, freelance consultant, Dudley Avenue: "I think the council has to do more to build up Princes Street, and also to support development of the city centre like the St James Centre."

Gill Williamson, 40, marketing manager, Newington: "I have no issue with Edinburgh people shopping in Glasgow."