Queens Park Glasshouse to close as Glasgow City Council says operating costs are 'unsustainable'

Queen’s Park Glasshouse will close in August as the council says operating costs are “unsustainable”.

The move has sparked concern among locals and a public meeting is being held in protest over the decision on the B-listed structure.

Staff working at the southside facility are to be moved to other parts of the parks service and it is understood the Scottish Rural College, which has held classes at the location, is also looking at other premises according to the council.

The council said it is is currently working on finding a new home for the remaining Koi Carp fish at the site while nearly all other animals have already been re-homed.

Councillor Soryia Siddique said: “I have been inundated with complaints regarding the closure of the Queen’s Park Glasshouse. For almost a decade, I have raised concerns about disrepair of this important local asset.

“I have written to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability at Glasgow City Council and will be attending the public meeting next week to demonstrate my support and to listen to the aspirations and concerns of local residents.”

The Southside Central councillor added: “What remains of Glasgow’s heritage must be preserved as a matter of priority. The voices of the local community must be at the heart of any decision-making process and future plans for the site.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Following the budget agreed by the council in February 2023 that required to make over £49m worth of savings, we can confirm we are moving towards the closure of Queen’s Park Glasshouse in August this year.

“Operating costs for services delivered by GCC at the Glasshouse have been found to be unsustainable.

“Our staff at the Queen’s Park Glasshouse have been advised of the situation and we are working with them to ensure all colleagues are redeployed to other parts of the parks service.

“We had hoped Scottish Rural College would extend their use of the Glasshouse, but we are now in discussions with the college about alternative options within the council’s parks estate.

“We will continue to work on identifying a suitable, sustainable use for the Glasshouse and we are working with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust on how best to maintain the building for a future tenant.

“Almost all animals previously kept at the glasshouse have been appropriately re-homed and we currently working on suitable home for the remaining koi carp.”

An open community meeting to save the glasshouse is being organised for June 9 at 6pm at the Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street, according to the Battlefield Community Project Facebook page.