BUSINESSES crippled by the Glasgow School of Art fire want backers of the famous building to dig deep and help rebuild ailing Sauchiehall Street.

In an open letter to GoSA bosses, traders trapped inside the cordon around the devastated Mackintosh building have demanded answers from the institution, which they have accused of “hiding behind bureaucracy”.

Amongst questions posed, owners – many of whom have been forced to close without notice, let go of staff or relocate elsewhere – appealed to art school chiefs to encourage its wealthy community to donate to the wider community as well.

The letter read: “As you recognise the disruption and hardship this has caused the local economy and residents alike, will you consider asking your generous community who donate to the Mack building to also donate to rebuild also the local economy which has been shattered.”

The call comes on the same day more than £57,000 was granted to GoSA by the body that oversees Scotland’s museums and galleries.

The money will be put towards creating digital reconstructions of items from the prized Mackintosh collection.

Around £18.5 million was raised towards the £32mrestoration of the Mack after the 2014.

The list of donations included £300,000 from the Hugh Fraser Foundations, £250,000 from the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation and £5 million from the UK government.

Businesses fear they will be overlooked if another fund is set up to restore the building once again.

In the letter, addressed to Tom Inns, director of GSoA, the group questioned whether getting residents and businesses back into their properties is being treated as a priority.

Speaking on behalf of the Sauchiehall Street Inner Cordon Businesses (SSICB), Paul Evangelista, owner of Sauchiehall Street Barbers and Absolut Hair and Beauty, said there has been a lack of consideration for those whose livelihoods have been jeopardised.

He said: “We feel that it is important to point out that the currently fragile local economy is normally colourful, vibrant and full of character.

“We are an integral part of the culture and spirit of the area. The amazing students and staff of the GSofA are accustomed to a diverse, unique and friendly array of local shops and services.

“We feel that this is of immense value to the GSofA and must be preserved and protected.”

The 11-question letter also seeks answers on the cause of the fire, whether a criminal investigation is under way, and whether sufficient preventative measures were in place ahead of the June 15 tragedy.

They also asked about insurance details and where returning residents and businesses to their properties lie in the priorities of the restoration project.

The group wrote: “We believe that time has elapsed and now as neighbours we ask that the Glasgow School of Art demonstrate compassion, empathy and integrity by answering in a clear and straightforward manner the following questions to allow their neighbours, the business community and residents, the opportunity to address their future too.”

Professor Inns said they were working very closely with the leaders of the Sauchiehall Hall Street Inner Cordon Business Group to look at what measures needed to be put in place to mitigate ‘various issues faced by different parts of the street.’

He added: “We are also working hard to make sure that the Mackintosh Building is made stable in as safe and swift a way as possible..Our contractors will be working seven days a week so that people can get back into their homes and business premises as soon as possible.”

He said detailed investigations were taking place into the cause, involving the police, fire service and Health and Safety Executive.

Meanwhile, work has started to dismantle parts of the building after it was gutted by a second devastating fire.