Councillors consider alternative uses for Queen's Park Glasshouse in Glasgow

Council bosses are trying to find a solution for the replacement of the dome on Queen’s Park Glasshouse as they try to come up with a new use for the building.

The popular B-listed venue is set for closure as Glasgow City Council said it is unsustainable financially to keep it open.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convenor for built heritage, gave an update on the situation at a meeting on Thursday as local councillor Soryia Siddique said people are concerned they have no input to decisions.

Referring to the glasshouse, councillor Ruairi Kelly said: “There hasn’t been a final decision made on anything.

“So what we are currently working on is alternative uses for Queen’s Park Glasshouse so it can remain accessible to the public, so that the dome can be replaced, so that the future of it is made secure.”

Speaking at Thursday’s city administration committee, he said the process would involve discussions with the public, consultation, and information fed back from conservation organisations, local community groups and elected members”.

Commenting on the “strength of feeling” among people about the Southside attraction, Bailie Siddique said: “Hundreds of local residents, in fact, Glasgow-wide have come together to raise concerns”.

She said: “One of the things that keeps coming up over and over again is the lack of their voice in the decision making process. How is the local communities voice embedded into the decision making process when it comes to Glasgow’s heritage?”

Responding, councillor Kelly said: “In terms of how people access or make their voice heard we have the Built Heritage Commission.”

He said there is engagement across the city with heritage groups and community organisations.

Councillor Kelly also mentioned public consultation on the city development plan and said there will be the opportunity for community councils, community groups and other residents “to put forward their views and thoughts and be part of the discussion.”

The council previously said it was “moving towards the closure of Queen’s Park Glasshouse in August this year” as operating costs are “unsustainable.”

The glass house was discussed as councillors awarded funding to two built heritage charities. Glasgow City Heritage Trust is to receive a £240,000 grant and the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust is to get £50,000.