Campaigners descended on a Glasgow park to fight back against the permanent closure of a much-loved Victorian attraction.
Crowds gathered in Queen’s Park on Saturday, June 13, pleading with Glasgow City Council (GCC) not to shut its Glasshouse and gardens in August.
The peaceful demonstration was held after the local authority confirmed its plans to close the facility as it attempts to plug a near-£50 million hole in its budget.
GCC stated that its operational costs at the Glasshouse had been deemed as “unsustainable” but that it would work with heritage groups to try and secure the B-listed building’s future with a new tenant.
Locals are now urging the council to pause the closure as they fear the building “won’t reopen”.
Jim Monaghan, one of the event’s organisers, explained that the immediate goal of the campaign is to keep the Glasshouse open whilst the council searches for a leaseholder.
He said: “What we’re looking for right now is to stop the closure in August. There are some talks about various plans for the future and what they [GCC] might do, but in the short term, we are urgently calling for it to stay open.
“There are two reasons for that, one is that we are in the middle of the summer, and people are constantly using this place.
“Secondly, we are asking for an equality impact assessment to be carried out, as the council hasn’t done that.
“That would look at the impact that would be caused by closing the building, especially the toilet facilities.
“How would that affect disabled people, parents with young children, and elderly people. The council will say they can’t afford to keep this place running, but they can’t actually afford to close it.
“This is a crucial asset in our community. These things never reopen; they just lie empty. Langside Halls have been sitting there empty for years now.
“There was no consultation with the community; we found out through a post on Facebook.”
Activities for youngsters and walks through Queen’s Park were arranged as part of Saturday’s demonstration.
This was to showcase all that the green space has to offer and to make the event as family-friendly and “uplifting” as possible.
The Glasshouse has been a landmark attraction in the city’s Southside since its construction in 1895.
In recent years, it was home to a vast variety of sub-tropical plants, a fish pond, reptiles, insects, birds, and a children’s soft play.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) had also been hosting classes within the 19-century structure until it was withdrawn in February.
GCC previously confirmed that it was in talks with SRUC to arrange a new location for classes to be held within its estate.
Additionally, “almost all animals” kept in the Glasshouse have been rehomed, and the council is in the process of finding a new home for the koi carp.
Jim highlighted that the building's history was another important reason to keep it open to the public.
He added: “It’s just one less place for us to go. That’s what we’ve seen over recent years, the constant closure of facilities in so many communities.
“When these things go, it’s very difficult to get them back, so we are fighting back with this urgent campaign.”
Councillor Soryia Siddique said: "Today's turnout speaks volumes. People from across the community came together to stand up for the future of the Queen's Park Glasshouse. Hearing stories from different generations about its history, significance, and impact was both inspiring and moving.
"I will continue to raise the community's concerns with Glasgow City Council and advocate for the preservation of this important local landmark. It is paramount that Queen's Park Glasshouse is saved for future generations.”
A GCC spokesperson said: “Following the budget agreed by the council in February 2023 that required to make over £49 million worth of savings, we can confirm we are moving towards the closure of Queen's Park Glasshouse in August this year.
“Operating costs for services delivered by GCC at the Glasshouse have been found to be unsustainable.
"Our staff at the Queen’s Park Glasshouse have been advised of the situation, and we are working with them to ensure all colleagues are redeployed to other parts of the parks service.
“We had hoped Scottish Rural College would extend their use of the Glasshouse, but we are now in discussions with the college about alternative options within the council’s parks estate.
“We will continue to work on identifying a suitable, sustainable use for the Glasshouse, and we are working with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust on how best to maintain the building for a future tenant.
“Almost all animals previously kept at the glasshouse have been appropriately rehomed, and we are currently working on a suitable home for the remaining koi carp.”
