Emergency motion into future of threatened Queen's Park Glasshouse rejected

An emergency motion submitted by Councillor Leòdhas Massie to discuss the future of the under threat Queen’s Park Glasshouse has been rejected by the Lord Provost. It comes after a community-led demonstration this weekend was followed by the glasshouse closing.

The motion would have committed the council to supporting the reopening of the site, and keeping it open until at least the end of the current financial year. Cllr Massie said that he was “extremely disappointed” that the emergency motion had not been accepted.

He said: “I disagree that the circumstance around the announced closure earlier this month had not significantly changed since the deadline for regular motions given events this week such as the community campaign, arrests (and the threats of), asset stripping, unannounced closures and the complete lack of consultation.”

Thursday is “the last direct chance” councillors have to stop the closure before the council enters recess, according to Cllr Massie.

He said: "Queen’s Park Glasshouse belongs to the people of Glasgow. There are no reassurances that a ‘temporary’ closure would not be lengthy and that the plant collections would be maintained. This isn’t just about the Glasshouse, it’s about every accessible and usable space piece of built heritage our city has and what happens to these spaces going forward. All we tried to do was to buy it some time. I encourage everyone to get involved with Save Our Glasshouse - the fight is not over."

The council previously said the Glasshouse would be closed in August. However, the doors were locked and a sign erected this week indicating that the building is now shut "indefinitely" citing safety concerns.

It is now understood that following the rejection of the motion, an emergency demonstration will be held on Wednesday evening.

David Lees, a local community member and one of those involved in the campaign, said: "An emergency motion to halt the closure of the Queen’s Park Glasshouses, agreed by the community and proposed by Cllr Massie has been rejected by the Provost. No discussion or vote on the future of the glasshouses will take place at tomorrow’s full council meeting. This was the last chance for council to halt closure, before they shut up shop for a 2 month summer 'recess'.

Lees added: “It’s baffling that with the opportunity to make the most popular climb down in GCCs history, the council are digging their heels in. To paraphrase another woman who loved cuts and closures, we urge the provost “u-turn if you want to, the glasshouse isn’t closing!”

Earlier, Glasgow City Council announced it would close the Victorian landmark, calling future funding of the glasshouse unsustainable. Staff would be redeployed.

A spokesperson said: "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 Scotland's 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.

"Almost all animals previously kept at the glasshouse have been appropriately rehomed and we are currently working on a suitable home for the remaining koi carp."

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A petition to restore the glass dome was launched in May by Branch 29 of the GMB union and has reached almost 2000 signatures.

The petition reads: “We wish to start a petition on behalf of the local communities as well as staff employed there to properly fund a full restoration of this vital local resource as well as historic landmark.

“Queens Park glasshouse has been under funded and left to fall into a state of disrepair. The local council are supposed to be custodians of Glasgow's historic architecture and should be properly funded to preserve and maintain these vital buildings.”

In 2020, the south entrance’s glass dome was dismantled over safety fears.

The glasshouse had been used by Scotland’s Rural College as part of its teaching estate. However, that agreement will end this summer.

A working group was formed in 2023 to put together a development plan for the crisis hit glasshouse.