Owner of historic Possilpark cinema building appeals against decision to stop demolition

The decision to grant a historic cinema in Possilpark listed status after demolition had already begun has been challenge by its owners.

Allied Vehicles began demolishing the Vogue cinema in December last year – the day they were granted permission by Glasgow City Council – in order to turn it into a car showroom.

The local authority ordered a last-minute Building Preservation Notice in January and requested Historic Environment Scotland (HES) consider it for listing.

The public body published its decision to grant the building C-listed status in June, meaning the demolition could no longer go ahead.

They described the building as a “notable as a surviving example of modern-classical cinema design, which remains largely unaltered to its principal elevation” and an “architectural landmark”.

The owners have now appealed against the decision to grant it listed status, describing the move as “unfair” and “not taking into account the current condition of the building”.

In their appeal submitted to the Scottish Government, Allied Vehicles said their structural engineer believes that the demolition works already carried out “has compromised the structural engineering integrity” of the building, causing it to pose a danger to the public.

It reads: “The decision to list the building in the second decision, particularly given the extent of the demolition work which had been carried out, is inconsistent with HES’s policy not to list or schedule buildings in such circumstances.

“Given how advanced the demolition works were, the appellant is of the view that it is unfair to list the building at such a late stage in the demolition process when the appellant has acted in accordance with the demolition warrant of December 22 2023 and under the reassurance of the first notice that the building would not be listed.

“The second decision is an unexplained and unmerited change of position by HES and is contrary to the 2019 guidance.”

The former ‘super cinema’ in Possilpark first opened in 1933 with 1600 seats. In 1950, with new owners, the cinema was renamed to the Vogue cinema.

It continued operating as a cinema for 18 years until April 1968 when the building was converted to a bingo hall.

Historic Environment Scotland said: “The former Mecca/Vogue cinema in Possilpark was listed at Category C earlier this year, following the issuing of a building preservation notice by Glasgow City Council.

“We are aware of an appeal against the listing for this site and we are currently providing information to the Planning and Environment Appeals Division (DPEA) to help inform their decision.

“There is a right of appeal for any designation and further information can be found on our website: HES | Appeal a listing decision“.