Plans to transform historic Glasgow's Meat Market given £4.4m boost

Plans to transform a meat market site in the East End of Glasgow have received a £4.4m cash boost.

The City Deal grant will include £1.9m each from the UK and Scottish Governments.

The site of the Bellgrove sheds has lain dormant since the 1990s, but the new plans will transform it into a ‘thriving hub’.

The derelict Victorian sheds will be developed into a flexible site that will include sports facilities, a bar and bistro, event space, a learning centre, and an enterprise incubator to support small businesses.

The City Deal grant will include £1.9m each from the UK and Scottish Governments. Glasgow City Council

A community growing space is also planned, and the B-Listed Meat Market Superintendent’s House will be stabilised ahead of its future development as an active travel hub.

The plan also includes a “linear park,” which will create an active travel route between Bellgrove Street and Melbourne Street.

A “wide-ranging heritage activity programme” is also planned on site to encourage community involvement and help preserve its rich history.

Patrick Flynn, chair of the Meat Market Community Interest Company, said the board is “delighted” with the significant investment.

“We have undertaken significant community consultation to ensure that the proposed works at the Meat Market reflect the aims of local people in terms of community use and job and training opportunities,” he added.

“Our Board are striving to successfully develop the exciting projects that make up this significant regeneration initiative.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said: “I am delighted that City Deal funding will contribute toward this fantastic project, which will see heritage assets brought back into positive use, and the transformation of this key site, which has lain dormant for many years.

“Re-imagining the listed Meat Market sheds into a flexible, accessible space for communities and businesses will deliver both local and wider benefits, whilst the new linear park running through the site will improve its connectivity to the city centre and wider neighbourhood, and provide attractive, safer routes that encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle.”

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: “Building on investment we have already made, we are contributing £5.6m to this project to provide a bustling hub in the heart of Glasgow’s East End where people can shop, work and socialise.

“This adds to the work we are supporting to transform disused land across the East End into places where people can live, businesses can invest, and communities are able to thrive.

“To create jobs and tackle poverty, the Scottish Government is providing £62.15m towards regeneration projects over the course of this financial year. These initiatives will help to revitalise town centres, derelict sites and green spaces to benefit people across Scotland.”

UK Government Scotland Office minister, Kirsty McNeill, added: “I’m delighted that £1.9m UK Government funding will help transform this derelict Glasgow site into a thriving hub for community, sport and local businesses.

“This is our Plan for Change in action – investment to drive economic growth and improve lives by building a fairer country with equal opportunities for all. By genuine partnership working with the Scottish Government and local partners here and across Scotland we will deliver a decade of national renewal.”