Wing Hong Chinese Elderly Group facing closure after council scraps 'peppercorn' rent agreement

Charities in Glasgow are facing significant rent hikes following the scrapping of their ‘peppercorn’ rent agreement by the local council.

The Wing Hong Chinese Elderly Group in Garnethill is one of the latest organisations that has to raise thousands of pounds or face closure, something the charity says will be devastating to the elderly Chinese community that uses the centre for their wellbeing.

The centre was among dozens of charities that benefited from the annual £1 ‘peppercorn’ rent in recognition of its community value.

However, last year, City Property – the organisation that manages Glasgow City Council’s property portfolio – informed the charity that a new lease agreement would be introduced.

Between years one and five, the charity will have to pay an annual rent that will increase by £1,500 plus VAT, rising to £15,000 by year eight and reaching market value by years nine and ten.

Alongside warm meals and a strong sense of belonging, the Wing Hong Centre’s popular yoga classes are vital for the health and balance of elderly members.

Centre manager Amy Li-Man told STV News that the charity is a “lifeline” for the community.

“We are a small charity that has been supporting elderly Chinese in Glasgow for decades”, she explained.

“We run lunch clubs, activities like exercise and social sessions, and we provide guidance and support in their own language.

“We also work to promote and preserve Chinese culture and heritage while keeping community ties and the sense of unity strong, especially for elderly people who may feel isolated. For many people, this centre is the main place to meet people and get support and feel safe.

“For some, the lunch club is the only hot meal they’ll have; it’s a lifeline.

Wing Hong centre manager Amy Li-Man STV News

“If the centre closes, many elderly people will lose their main source of support and social contact. Isolation would increase, and people’s physical and mental health would suffer. People would have nowhere to go.”

The Wing Hong Centre is just one of a number of charities affected by the agreement being scrapped, which comes as the local council continues to raise funds to settle historic equal pay claims.

The charity is now asking for donations to help keep it running.

Anne Chau, who has been attending the centre for four years, explained: “I joined right after the Covid lockdown. It means a lot because I feel it’s a lifesaver. After Covid, we were inside, not doing anything.

“By coming here, I see my friends, and I interact with other people, and we play ping pong, which is really good exercise.

“To me, this is vital for our well-being. We’ve got nowhere to go, nowhere to play ping pong or gather. A lot of those elderly people are quite isolated. They would be sitting inside a house all day long alone.

“It will affect us profoundly if the centre closes.

“The activities are really, really good because it means we are more agile and by playing ping pong, it helps me to have a sharp mind and good body balance.

“No matter how long you stay in a country, you still remember your motherland. I’ve lived in Scotland for more than 50 years.

“If I don’t come here, it means there’s no one to celebrate the New Year and other festivities with me.”

City Property declined an on-camera interview, but said negotiations over the lease renewal are ongoing.

The ball is now in the charity’s court – meet the new terms, or risk being served with an eviction notice.