Fight to save Queen’s Park Glasshouse reaches Glasgow City Chambers
Campaigners fighting to secure the long-term future of Queen’s Park Glasshouse will take their case to Glasgow City Chambers this week.
A petition calling for the historic Southside attraction to remain open, free to visit and in council ownership will be considered by councillors on Thursday.
The campaign was launched after Glasgow City Council announced in June that it was moving towards closing the Glasshouse in August because the cost of operating the building had become “unsustainable”.
The council subsequently reversed course following protests and said the Glasshouse would remain open for the “foreseeable future” while discussions continued over a sustainable future for the building.
But campaigners are continuing to press for stronger guarantees over the landmark’s long-term future.
The “Keep Queen’s Park Glasshouse Open and Council-Owned” petition will go before Glasgow City Council’s Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee at the City Chambers at 1.30pm on Thursday, August 13.
Council papers show the petition was received on June 22 with more than 100 signatures.
Principal petitioner Benjamin Kritikos has indicated that he intends to make a statement directly to councillors when the issue is considered. A representative from the council’s Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability service has also been asked to attend.
The petition calls on Glasgow City Council to keep the Glasshouse free and open to the public and retain it in public ownership.
Campaigners have argued that closing the building could lead to further deterioration and increase the eventual cost of restoring it.
The petition points to an estimated £3.5 million renovation cost attributed to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and argues that the cost could increase if the building were allowed to deteriorate.
It also calls for the council to commit to a “full and transparent” public consultation before any changes are made to the use of the Glasshouse and asks for an Equality Impact Assessment to be carried out.
Campaigners also want the council to reaffirm its commitment to keeping the building in public ownership.
The petition states: “The Glasshouse must remain in Council ownership where councillors are democratically accountable to Glasgow residents, ensuring we have a say in the future of this valued part of our city’s heritage.”
The campaign follows months of uncertainty over the future of the building.
In June, councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s convenor for built heritage, said officials were looking at alternative uses that could allow the Glasshouse to remain accessible to the public while securing investment to replace its dome and protect its future.
Later that month, council neighbourhood services convener Laura Doherty confirmed the Glasshouse would remain open while discussions continued over a sustainable long-term solution, with public access to the building and toilets maintained.
The campaign has nevertheless continued amid calls for greater certainty over what happens next.
The Glasshouse is a Category B-listed building dating from 1905, according to Historic Environment Scotland. It was built by the Office of Public Works and includes the distinctive central dome and ranges of glasshouses constructed above red-brick walls.
The meeting means that, despite the immediate threat of an August closure having been lifted, the campaign over who controls the Glasshouse and how its restoration should be funded is set to return to the City Chambers.
Campaigners fighting to secure the long-term future of Queen’s Park Glasshouse will take their case to Glasgow City Chambers this week.
A petition calling for the historic Southside attraction to remain open, free to visit and in council ownership will be considered by councillors on Thursday.
The campaign was launched after Glasgow City Council announced in June that it was moving towards closing the Glasshouse in August because the cost of operating the building had become “unsustainable”.
The council subsequently reversed course following protests and said the Glasshouse would remain open for the “foreseeable future” while discussions continued over a sustainable future for the building.
But campaigners are continuing to press for stronger guarantees over the landmark’s long-term future.
The “Keep Queen’s Park Glasshouse Open and Council-Owned” petition will go before Glasgow City Council’s Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee at the City Chambers at 1.30pm on Thursday, August 13.
Council papers show the petition was received on June 22 with more than 100 signatures.
Principal petitioner Benjamin Kritikos has indicated that he intends to make a statement directly to councillors when the issue is considered. A representative from the council’s Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability service has also been asked to attend.
The petition calls on Glasgow City Council to keep the Glasshouse free and open to the public and retain it in public ownership.
Campaigners have argued that closing the building could lead to further deterioration and increase the eventual cost of restoring it.
The petition points to an estimated £3.5 million renovation cost attributed to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and argues that the cost could increase if the building were allowed to deteriorate.
It also calls for the council to commit to a “full and transparent” public consultation before any changes are made to the use of the Glasshouse and asks for an Equality Impact Assessment to be carried out.
Campaigners also want the council to reaffirm its commitment to keeping the building in public ownership.
The petition states: “The Glasshouse must remain in Council ownership where councillors are democratically accountable to Glasgow residents, ensuring we have a say in the future of this valued part of our city’s heritage.”
The campaign follows months of uncertainty over the future of the building.
In June, councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s convenor for built heritage, said officials were looking at alternative uses that could allow the Glasshouse to remain accessible to the public while securing investment to replace its dome and protect its future.
Later that month, council neighbourhood services convener Laura Doherty confirmed the Glasshouse would remain open while discussions continued over a sustainable long-term solution, with public access to the building and toilets maintained.
The campaign has nevertheless continued amid calls for greater certainty over what happens next.
The Glasshouse is a Category B-listed building dating from 1905, according to Historic Environment Scotland. It was built by the Office of Public Works and includes the distinctive central dome and ranges of glasshouses constructed above red-brick walls.
The meeting means that, despite the immediate threat of an August closure having been lifted, the campaign over who controls the Glasshouse and how its restoration should be funded is set to return to the City Chambers.