Turning Point Scotland facing closure over 'significant' rent hikes in Glasgow

A crisis centre for drug and alcohol addiction in Glasgow is facing closure due to a dispute over rental hikes.

Turning Point Scotland, a social care provider supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 people at any one time, works primarily with disabled people, but also offers drug and alcohol services and support for homeless people.

It has run services in Glasgow’s Tradeston on behalf of local authorities and the Scottish Government for over 30 years and says it receives over 1,000 referrals each year.

However, the charity’s base is now facing closure, blaming “significant” rent hikes by Glasgow City Property, which manages its property portfolio.

They say that the proposed new costs are “well beyond the funding provided to deliver services”.

‘Costs are well above the funding’

Turning Point Scotland also said that there was an ongoing process relating to dilapidations, which are costs that tenants face relating to damage or redecorating a property to its original condition, and wider property liabilities.

Neil Richardson, chief executive of the charity, said: “For more than a year, we have worked constructively with partners to find a sustainable solution that protects these vital services and the people who rely on them. Unfortunately, the underlying issues around property liabilities remain unresolved.

“This is not about the quality or value of the services we provide.

“The property costs being sought are well above the funding provided to deliver these services and are outwith traditional commissioning practices.

“It is about ensuring charities delivering essential public services are not placed in a position where they are expected to absorb financial risks they simply cannot sustain.”

Drug deaths in Scotland remain at the highest level in Europe, and Glasgow is among those with the worst rates in the country.

Turning Point has said that discussions with partners have been ongoing for more than a year, but no solutions have yet been found.

“Our priority remains finding a solution that safeguards these services and ensures people across Glasgow continue to receive the support they need,” Mr Richardson added.

The dispute has now been raised with the Court of Session by a Turning Point client, who said via Govan Law Centre that the charity “quite literally saved her life”.

She says the decision to impose commercial rent and lease terms was unlawful and discriminated against her and other disabled people in the city.

Govan Law Centre added the closure of Turning Point would have a “grave impact” on the city, describing its services over the years as vital.

Alcohol and drugs minister Maree Todd said the Scottish Government cannot intervene in any contract dispute, but have met with Glasgow City Council in an effort to resolve the issue.

She said: “I am aware of challenges facing this important service and have met the Turning Point chief executive and representatives from Glasgow City Council to seek to come to a resolution that safeguards the continuation of critical services for vulnerable people.”

She added: “We want to ensure that every reasonable opportunity is urgently taken to explore resolution.

“I wrote again to the leader of Glasgow City Council this month to seek the council’s support in encouraging all parties to make every effort to identify a constructive way forward and to explore the possibility of urgent referral to an independent mediation process.

“Backed by record funding of more than £160m in 2026–27, our new long-term Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan refocuses our efforts in a more co-ordinated and sustainable way.

“We have also launched a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will provide £36.9m to frontline services and organisations. The multi-year funding recognises partner concerns on the need for stability and longer-term support.”