CHARITIES in Drumchapel could be waiting months before being able to work from their community base again - despite being locked out for more than a year.

The Drumchapel Community Centre - which is home to multiple charities including 3D Drumchapel, G15 Youth Group and Thriving Places - was closed following the initial lockdown last March.

Local groups were hopeful they would be able to resume activities as restrictions began to ease, however, a newly opened walk-through testing site has prompted fears of yet another lengthy delay.

3D Drumchapel CEO Sharon Colvin said: ”This leaves us with nowhere to deliver our services at this time when families really need us the most ... we are concerned it is not a building on the list to be reopened by Glasgow Life going forward.

READ MORE: Drumchapel charities call for clarity over community centre

“This is one of the last community facilities left in Drumchapel and it is so important it remains open and accessible to children and families to access and for services to use as a base to deliver vital services required at this time.”

Bailie Anne McTaggart raised concerns from charities with Glasgow Life, who run the facility on behalf of Glasgow City Council, earlier this month.

The politician quizzed the charity on the potential of a temporary base for those who call the centre home.

A response seen by Glasgow Times revealed charities had been given the option to enter the premises and collect any materials they would like prior to the centre’s conversion to a test centre.

It added: “Unfortunately, we are not in a position at the moment to offer alternative facilities to tenants.However, please note all tenant’s equipment can stay at Drumchapel Community Centre as the areas leased by tenants will not be affected by the Test Centre operation.

“Tenants will also be able to access the venue if necessary when the Test Centre is in operation, it would just need to be planned and sufficient notice given to Glasgow Life via the usual contact details.”

As previously reported, the charities based in the community centre wrote to Glasgow Life last summer when restrictions first began to ease.

The Glasgow Times revealed earlier this month the facility would be turned into a UK Government walk-through testing site for those experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

A Glasgow Life spokeswoman said: “A number of Glasgow Life venues are being used by the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) as part of the nationwide Covid-19 testing and vaccination programme.

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"All of these facilities, including Drumchapel Community Centre, have been made available to the Scottish Government for an initial six month period and will be available for use by the Scottish Government and NHSGGC for as long as is required. Glasgow Life receives no rental for any venue used to support the Covid-19 testing and vaccination programme.

"Actual costs incurred for the set-up and for any requirements by Scottish Government or NHSGGC are recharged at cost either by Glasgow City Council for vaccination centres or by Glasgow Life for test centres.

“As Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, and venues across the city begin to reopen, we will look to support any group who previously occupied Glasgow Life facilities currently being utilised by the Scottish Government and NHSGGC to identify alternative venues, where possible. This will be dependent on the organisation’s needs and availability of a suitable venue, and will be subject to Scottish Government restrictions for managing Covid-19.”