It has recently been confirmed by Glasgow City Council that the public entering Botanic Gardens greenhouses will be charged.
The charge would be for entry into the Kibble Palace Glasshouse, with the price yet to be determined, however the council is hoping to raise £185,000 for the city which will help plug a £40 million black hole.
Outcries have been heard from residents of Glasgow as it would be the first time in 180 years that a charge has been put in place.
READ MORE: Plans to introduce Kibble Palace entry charge spark outrage among Glaswegians
Alongside this, free entry into Glasgow’s museums and galleries has been seen as a right in Scotland’s largest city for as long as they have been open.
Brian Atkinson, Chairman of the Friends of Botanic Gardens, said the group is opposed to the plans.
He said: "The Friends are implacably opposed to the introduction of any charges to this Internationally recognised centre of botanical and environmental excellence.
"To exclude unfettered access to the valuable plant collections and the demonstration of their globally economic value will strike a major blow to Glasgow’s promotion of environmental awareness and climate change information.”
Glasgow Live travelled to the Botanic Gardens to speak to people visiting to ask what their thoughts are on the newly confirmed charge.
Henry Watson, 73, has lived in Glasgow his whole life and has been visiting the Botanics all throughout that time, he said: “I wouldn’t be happy about paying for an entry” as “it is my favourite place.”
A visitor that day, Amelia, 20 from Sheffield who studies in Edinburgh said: “I don’t think they should be charged for it if they live in the city. I think it is a nice place to come and relax, they shouldn’t be charged if they live here.”
Johanna Marx, 28, a web designer from Germany visits the glasshouses on her lunch breaks and said, “I wouldn’t” come anymore as it would “cost a lot of money.”
She continued: “I don’t think it is fair on the people of Glasgow.”
John McGuinness, 64, has been coming to the gardens since the 1970’s and proclaimed that a charge to enter is:
“Disgusting, I think the gardens and glasshouses belong to the people and for the people of Glasgow.”
Claire and Susan were with their Grandson and have lived in Glasgow all their lives, they agreed by saying: “I think it’s a real shame because it’s a lovely outing for people, if you don’t have money, it’s a free outing and you can spend a whole day in the Botanics.”
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “This is a measure agreed by councillors as part of the council’s budget for 2023/24, which has required the council to identify almost £50m worth savings to cover a funding gap for this year.
“The budget aimed to protect services and jobs where ever possible and has looked to deal with the funding gap by raising additional revenue.
“Further details on what this measure will mean in practice at the Kibble Palace will be announced in due course.”
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