Campaign launched to save Queen's Park Glasshouse from closure

Campaigners have vowed to fight plans to close Queen's Park Glasshouse, arguing the historic building is a vital community resource used by families, students and visitors from across the Southside.

People gathered at the Roma Cultural Centre to discuss what could be done to prevent the closure

Residents from across the Southside have launched a campaign to prevent the closure of the Queen's Park Glasshouse after Glasgow City Council announced plans to shut the facility in August.

The B-listed Glasshouse built in 1895, a longstanding landmark within Queen's Park, was originally used to cultivate plants. In recent years, the building was home to a children’s soft play area, exotic plants, a fish pond, reptiles, insects and birds. Since 2017, the building has been partially closed following concerns around the structural integrity of the iconic dome.

It is now set to close permanently due to what the council described as "unsustainable costs". The announcement has prompted concern among local residents, community groups and regular visitors, particularly given ongoing discussions in recent years about investing in and securing the building's future.

Campaigners gathered at the Roma Cultural Centre on Nithsdale Street on Tuesday evening to organise opposition to the decision and discuss next steps.

Fatima Uygun, one of the organisers and CEO of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust said the Glasshouse was a valued part of the city's heritage and should be protected for future generations:

"Our beloved and hugely popular Glasshouse in Queen’s Park cannot be shut down. Glasgow City Council are custodians of our heritage, culture and parks. Vital assets such as the Glasshouse should be invested in and be available to future generations. It belongs to all Glaswegians."

Also, speaking at the meeting, Jim Monaghan of Glasgow Against Closures criticised what he described as a lack of public consultation surrounding the decision:

"People are angry about the lack of consultation and communication from Glasgow City Council. We expect the Council to look after places like this for us. They tell us they can't afford to keep the Glasshouse open. We believe that we can't afford not to. It's a vital resource for the Southside."

Residents from Shawlands, Langside, Battlefield, Govanhill, Strathbungo and Pollokshields attended the meeting, raising concerns about the impact the closure could have on local people.

Among those present were students from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), which currently uses the building as part of its teaching provision, alongside parents, grandparents and regular park users.

Campaigners highlighted the Glasshouse's role as one of the few freely accessible indoor spaces in the area. They also noted that it contains the park's only public toilet facilities, while providing a year-round space for visitors to enjoy plants, wildlife and community events.

Photos of inside the Glasshouses taken by Laura Vroomen

The issue has sparked particular concern among local families. In an open letter published by Greater Govanhill earlier this year, local parent Ben Kritikos described the Glasshouse as "a lifesaver" for parents, calling it: "an escape from sudden torrents of rain, a toilet in an emergency, a beautiful spot to eat lunch and let your kids burn off energy". He warned that the gradual loss of accessible community spaces was leaving families with "nowhere to go that doesn't require spending money you don't have".

Read more: An open letter to those accountable to Govanhill’s children

A public demonstration against the closure is scheduled to take place at the Glasshouse on Saturday 13 June at 12pm.

Those wishing to support the campaign can follow its Instagram page and join Facebook group forupdates and information on future actions.