By VIVIENNE NICOLL

THE campaign to save a historic Glasgow building has taken a major step forward.

Work has started on the latest phase of repair work aimed at securing the future of the 116-year-old A listed Springburn Winter Gardens.

The Winter Garden trust has been working with the city council and a specialist contractor to draw up a programme of works to ensure the structural integrity of the building until cash is found for its full restoration.

A structural survey found severe corrosion of supporting steel beams which hold a decorative cast iron lantern at the top of the structure.

However the main structure of the building was found in good condition given its exposure to the elements over 30 years.

That has boosted confidence it will be possible to restore the building and as a result the council agreed to funding for the current repairs.

It will involve installing steel braces to the lantern to ensure it does not suddenly collapse.

City council leader Frank McAveety said:”Growing up in the local area, I have many fond memories of Springburn Winter Gardens in its heyday so I welcome the initiative taken by the trust to restore the building.

“I hope these vital repairs can help lay the groundwork for the trust to secure further grant support from funding partners in order to return this historic landmark back into a thriving asset for the people of Glasgow.”

Springburn Park, which is located at the highest point in Glasgow opened in 1900 and the Winter Gardens have dominated the skyline ever since.

The park was funded by a donation by Sir Hugh Reid who owned the nearby Hyde Park Locomotive Works as a space for leisure and recreation for people in the area.

The Winter Gardens is the largest single span glasshouse in Scotland on a par with the People’s Palace and the Kibble Palace in the Botanic Gardens.

It was closed to the public and abandoned after a major storm in September 1983 after the discovery of structural problems with the glazing but cash was not available for repair work.

The visitor attraction received Category A listed status in 1985 just two days before it was due to be abolished.

Since then it has become increasingly derelict and in 1990 was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register.

The landmark building has been a target for vandals and self sown trees burst through areas of the walls and roof.