GLASGOW food banks are in “peril” as COP26 road closures have caused delivery delays and prompted service restrictions, charity bosses have claimed.

Several groups across the city have been forced to close their doors or pull back on opening hours to cope with shortages which, they claim, have arisen since roads surrounding South Street in Scotstoun – where many large food bank depots are based – have been shut off as part of the UN summit’s security measures.

Gladigator’s Fun Factory announced it had closed its food bank for three weeks as it was “unable to access” its pick-up point, Fare Share Scotland had warned service users to plan ahead as it was taking longer for staff, deliveries and visitors alike to reach the site, and independent food delivery groups said they had “no choice” but to cut out areas due to transport difficulties.

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However, Glasgow City Council insists South Street is not subject to road closures and, while delays have been predicted, it is still possible to reach business and groups based in the area.

Alex Richardson, founder of Gladigator’s Fun Factory, said: “They’ve blocked off a lot of streets in the city. Normally, I would be driving around to Food Share Glasgow to pick up food that would be distributed but it’s not possible.

“It’s not just us. There’s lots of groups across Glasgow that can’t get access.”

He added: “We’ve been told a lot of our suppliers won’t be able to get their workers in so who knows if they’ll even be fed.”

Several food banks have said they are “nervous” about coming forward with road closure complaints for fear of seeming as though they’re against the climate conference – which they insist they fully support.

Alex O’Kane, who runs an independent food delivery service, said he had had to make the difficult choice to suspend deliveries to parts of the city which are under tight security restrictions, such as Anderston.

The Milton-based food bank worker said: “Basically, the businesses in South Street provide to food banks around the city and they’re having real difficulties.

“I was down there last week, before COP started, the traffic was already starting to fill up around Dumbarton Road with the closures.

“We really rely on local donations but, normally, we’d be out delivering to the likes of Anderston but we can’t because you really can’t get out there easily.”

He added: “A lot of the food banks are struggling.”

Prior to the arrival of COP26, which was due to be held in the city last year but was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the council launched a website to help businesses, groups and charities to prepare.

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The site, Get Ready Glasgow, features information and advice for how to manage road closures and other operational concerns.

A spokesperson for Get Ready Glasgow said: “There are no restrictions on South Street for COP26 and the organisations mentioned should be able to operate using the information provided as part of the Get Ready Glasgow campaign.

“We have been urging businesses to plan ahead for COP26 for several months including a massive media campaign which started at the beginning of October. We have also been providing direct support for businesses.

“The Get Ready Glasgow website provides businesses, organisations and residents with all the information and tools they need to prepare for the event.”