GLASGOW has been hailed one of the top cities in Europe thanks to its continuing multi-billion pound regeneration.

Buchanan Street has been rated alongside upmarket Regent Street in London and historic O'Connell Street in Dublin as one of the greatest streets in the UK and Ireland. £2.4bn shopping bonanza is driving the boom years GLASGOW is enjoying a period of exceptional growth, with its residents, workers and visitors contributing to the boom through their spending in city centre shops.

Lesley Sawers, the chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said it was the UK's largest retail destination outside of London.

"With retail at £2.4billion a year, it is no surprise that Buchanan Street is being lauded as one of the UK's premier shopping streets," she said.

"Employment is another growth area, with the number of jobs rising 24% in the past decade - that's up 79,000 and double the figure for the rest of Scotland.

"Private and public investment is also at its highest since Victorian times, with £4.2bn of investment planned or under way in 2006 - a 22% increase on the previous year.

"It is testament to the hard work and ambition of the private and public sectors in Glasgow, and their ability to work together for this shared goal, that we are receiving this international recognition.

"But, to business, this is work in progress and we need to continue to drive investment into the city to ensure we achieve our ambitious 10-year economic targets for jobs, skills and business growth."

Over the past decade, Glasgow has undergone a dramatic transformation, with depressing areas being bulldozed and reborn as vibrant communities.

Further developments, totalling billions of pounds, are still in the pipeline and the monumental efforts to breathe new life into the city have been recognised by three separate organisations.

Regenerate magazine has named the city council No 2 in its UK top 50 for organisations delivering massive changes.

Judges highlighted the change in image through the overhaul of the city centre, the £1.2billion Glasgow Harbour development and the £1.6bn Clyde Gateway project.

One judge said: "Compared with 15 years ago, Glasgow is a different place and the Merchant City is fantastic.

"The council has been at it for a while and has created a city that is one of the best in Europe.

"Add to that plans to streamline its planning policies to speed up major regeneration projects, as well as the redevelopment of Glasgow Harbour - of which the £20m Clyde Arc is part - and it becomes hard to believe the council did not top our list."

The winner was Manchester City Council.

However, Buchanan Street has also come in for praise from another organisation, the Academy of Urbanism.

It has nominated the shopping precinct, as well as Regent Street and O'Connell Street for the title of the UK's Greatest Street and judges will meet the city council, retailers and property owners next month to see how Buchanan Street is managed and developed.

The winning street will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in November.

Last year, the Academy voted the Merchant City the UK's Best Neighbourhood.

Glasgow is also a finalist in a competition run by Regeneration and Renewal magazine, which has nominated Oatlands for the Best Use Of Planning In Regeneration category in its awards.

City leaders are delighted that years of hard work is being recognised.

Council leader Steven Purcell said: "It is this growing international recognition that has given us the confidence to bid for the Commonwealth Games.

"However, it is important we do not rest on our laurels because we still have a big job to do to ensure every community sees the benefits of new housing and schools and can reap the benefits of this growing reputation."

Councillor Gordon Matheson, whose ward includes Buchanan Street, said being up against London and Dublin for an award was "thrilling" and added: "We should celebrate this and redouble our efforts to make Glasgow even better."

Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is great that Glasgow's regeneration efforts have been recognised at this level."

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Having three endorsements like this adds considerably to the message we are sending out that Glasgow is a fantastic city to live in and for short breaks." Readers have their say on shopping Ross Turbet, 22, student, Dennistoun: "I would say that Buchanan Street is one of the best streets in the world. It is a bit upmarket for students but I enjoy walking down it and also sitting on the steps of the Concert Hall and looking right down the street." Alison Weatherup, 21, student, City Centre: "I wouldn't shop much there because a lot of the shops can be quite expensive and if I was shopping I think I would rather go to Sauchiehall Street or the Buchanan Galleries, although, I do love to walk down Buchanan Street." Elizabeth O'Connell, 50, housewife, Baillieston: "All the shopping on Buchanan Street is great. They have some really nice shops and they are all good quality shops as well." Margaret Kerr, retired, Craigend: "It is a great place to shop, although some of them are quite exclusive. I will come in about once a week to shop on Buchanan Street to have a look about the shops."