Glasgow City Council to close Queen's Park Glasshouse in August

A 19th century glasshouse is to close permanently from August in a cost-cutting move by Glasgow City Council.

The Queen's Park Glasshouse has been a landmark in the city's south side since its construction in 1895, but recently there have been concerns about the building's safety, as well as uncertainty over its long-term future.

The venue was previously home to an array of sub-tropical plants and animals, a café and a soft play area.

The local authority said it was trying to find a "sustainable use" for the site going forward, while staff said on social media they have been given 90 days notice.

Scotland's Rural College had previously been using the building for classes, but their agreement with the city council is about to end this summer.

Nearly all animals at the glasshouse have been rehomed, while fears over the structural integrity of the dome above the south entrance caused it to be taken down and dismantled in 2020.

The closure of the free-entry venue has been criticised on social media.

One person wrote that the decision meant "another part of the city's heritage is about to be lost" while another individual said the site remains "a beautiful public space, with stunning exotic plants."

A public meeting on the building's future is due to take place on Tuesday at the Roma Cultural Centre on Nithsdale Street.

Glasgow City Council said costs to keep the glasshouse going were now unsustainable, citing its decision to make £49m of budget savings in February 2023.

It added that staff at the glasshouse would be redeployed elsewhere in the city's parks department.

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 currently working on suitable home for the remaining koi carp."