Businessman aims transform 103-year-old derelict building in Shawlands into 'hub of community'

A businessman has launched a mission to transform a derelict 103-year-old building into a community hub in Glasgow.

The building, on Moss Side Road in Shawlands, first opened on Christmas Day in 1922 and entertained cinemagoers for over 50 years.

It transitioned into a bingo hall and snooker club in the seventies and eighties and got a new lease of life as Tusk nightclub in the early 2000s.

Following its closure, the site was set to be transformed into a Wetherspoons pub, with hopes it would replace the Sir John Stirling Maxwell on Kilmarnock Road.

However, nothing came of the plans, and the building now lies empty.

Local businessman, Sam Amdjadi, hopes to restore the building to its previous glory – by creating a cinema, cafe and community space for locals.

“In my mind, this should be not the decaying building we see behind us. That should be the cornerstone of this community,” he said.

“I think it’s criminal. We allow buildings that are woven into our communities just to go to decay.

“I’ve been in there for a wedding. It was beautiful inside. It’s just a shame that it’s just gone the way how it looks now. I used to go to Tusk when it was open quite a while ago.

“It feels like we’ve got so many great restaurants and bars and coffee shops and gift shops and all of those other things that come with gentrification and we don’t have a cinema. So I would really, really love to see a cinema around here.

“It’s a shame that it’s gone derelict for so long, but it’s so much potential there as well.”

It’s thought the project could cost around £4m to £5m, with Sam indicating he’s had interest from both public and private investors.

After years of neglect, renovations won’t be easy. The building will need extensive work, including roof repairs.

Yet despite these challenges, community support seems to be growing.

Sam added: “After years of neglect, renovations won’t be easy. It needs extensive work, including roof repairs, damp and rot. Yet despite these challenges, community support seems to be growing.

“There’s been talk of things being done for this building before murmurs, and I don’t want to be another person who takes an interest. This is going to be a long project and it needs resilience and community spirit, and that’s what is inspiring me.

“I can’t tell you. I mean, it’s 300 plus emails now of people showing support, which is unbelievable. And that’s in two weeks.”