Community organisations could take over Glasgow Life venues

So far 34 expressions of interest have been made to the charitable organisation, which focuses on promoting culture and sport, through the People Make Glasgow Communities programme (PMGC).

PMGC was set up in February last year to support Glasgow City Council’s commitment to empower communities and help meet the changing needs of neighbourhoods, by giving community and third sector groups and organisations the opportunity to become more involved in the management of the venues and services they rely on.

Glasgow Life has confirmed that if a third sector organisation were to take on the responsibility of operating a community centre or any venue then their lease would be with Glasgow City Council, who own the building, and Glasgow Life would have no further involvement with it.

In March 2021 it was announced that a £100million financial guarantee would be received from the council to open more than 90 venues across Glasgow. The ability to open more venues would depend on more funding becoming available.

If community groups are able to take on the responsibility for some of the venues which remain closed, vital services could reopen to the public sooner rather than later.

Since July 2020 nine community centres have reopened and from November 2021 opening hours at seven of these venues increased to allow existing evening tenants and let holders to reinstate their programme/activity bookings.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life, said: “Since July 2020 we have reopened nine community centres where we have tenants who were initially identified as providing essential services during the pandemic, such as childcare and emergency food distribution.

“Since November 2021, we have increased opening hours at seven of these community facilities to enable existing evening tenants and let holders to reinstate their programme/activity bookings. More widely, some of our community facilities have been re-purposed for use currently as Covid vaccination and testing centres.

“However, as remains the case, unless more funding becomes available we are not able to open any more community facilities beyond those that have reopened already.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to work with Glasgow City Council through its People Make Glasgow Communities initiative to engage and support community groups and organisations that have expressed an interest in playing more of a role in, or taking responsibility for, venues currently managed by Glasgow Life.

“Should more funding become available, then we will discuss any future reopening plans with the council, local communities and our stakeholders.”