Historic Glasgow school building in Pollokshaws to be demolished after becoming danger to the public

A historic Glasgow school building will now be demolished after it has become a danger to the public.

Efforts to save the Sir John Stirling Maxwell property in Pollokshaws have been ongoing but a recent further collapse of the roof structure means it must now be torn down.

The council have said “sadly” it will be “demolished on the grounds of public safety”

Councillor Stephen Curran posted online that he is “so disappointed” and urged the local authority to keep as much of the stonework as possible.

The 1907 unlisted property has been empty since 2011 and has been on the Buildings at Risk Register.

The organisation the Sir John Stirling Maxwell School Trust has been trying to find a long-term future for it with the council also working on the issue.

There were hopes to transform it into an eco hub.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The council and other interested parties have for a considerable amount of time been trying to bring the former Sir John Stirling Maxwell School building back into productive use.

“As part of the work to do this, a feasibility study looking at potential uses for the building was carried out, and officers were reviewing the study in the hope of finding a sustainable use.

“Very sadly, there was recently a significant collapse of the roof structure – following an earlier collapse in 2021 – which means that the building is now structurally unsafe and requires to be demolished on the grounds of public safety.”

He added: “Immediate work to provide short-term protection was carried out, but demolition must now take place as the funding required to make the building structurally safe is unattainable.

“This is very disappointing for everyone involved, but officers from the council’s Heritage team will work with the demolition contractors to save architecturally important features of the building where possible.”

Mr Curran said: “I’m urging the council to keep as much of the stonework and the fantastic features on this historic building as they can for the future regeneration of Pollokshaws and this area.”