Glasgow ABC venue issued demolition notice amid fears for public safety

A demolition notice has been issued for the fire-ravaged O2 ABC building in Glasgow amid fears it poses a threat to public safety.

The venue on Sauchiehall Street has lain derelict since being significantly damaged by a fire at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018.

Glasgow City Council has now issued a dangerous building notice requiring the owners to demolish and remove the front façade of the venue and the supporting timber floor structure directly behind.

Work has been instructed to begin by September and to be completed within three months.

The notice comes just months after urban regeneration company Vita Group revealed plans to build a food hall and student accommodation at the city centre site.

There are no plans to retain any aspect of the historic former cinema, including its famous façade.

The School of Art and O2 ABC buildings were gutted by flames in June 2018. SFRS

The council installed temporary restraints to reduce the danger to the public and allow for Sauchiehall Street to reopen following the fire, while responsibility for the maintaining the building remained with the owners.

A recent inspection found that no works had been undertaken on the building leading to its significant deterioration and the need for a safety exclusion to the reintroduced.

A spokesperson said: “As the building was continuing to deteriorate having been open to the elements for so long, the owners were informed that a dangerous building notice would be served to address the ongoing concerns.

“The areas of most immediate public safety concern are the façade and the supporting timber floor structure directly behind and the notice is therefore stipulating the need for these to be removed.

“After speaking with the building owners and their representatives, the dates within the notice are considered a reasonable time for the operations specified and aiming to complete at an appropriate point prior to the festive break. The dates can be varied should the necessity later arise.”

Vita Group revealed their intentions for the site earlier this year with their aim to “regenerate” the once-popular destination.

Their design statement outlined plans for a “vibrant food destination on the ground floor which celebrates community, creates a building which interjects with the adjacent buildings and importantly complements the framework set out for the Golden Z.”

Student accommodation will also be included in the development specifically aimed at second and third year students.