A charity says it has been “bullied and intimidated” into moving its soup kitchen after pressure from neighbouring businesses.

Homeless Project Scotland is closing its operation under the Helianman’s Umbrella Bridge in Argyle Street after three years.

It will move to a new site on Broomielaw near the River Clyde next week.

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Colin McInnes Charity Chairman said: “We are extremely disappointed we have been bullied and intimidated out of our location by businesses who don’t want us there.

“They got a petition up to get us shut down."

He said while some wanted them out others refused to sign the petition including a café and the Platform venue which he said had been supportive and assisted with storage for the charity.

The service operates nightly and teams of volunteers provide food to hundreds of people every week.

Queues can be seen forming under the bridge as people wait for a hot meal to be served.

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Mr McInnes said the service will continue at the new location where containers are in place to house equipment.

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He added: “The new location is colder and will be sub zero in the winter months and these businesses think that is acceptable.”

The petition was requesting the council to “enforce relocating HPS soup kitchen from the public pavement on Argyle Street.”

They said they were suffering a drop in footfall and it was “detrimental” to business.

It stated that if no action was taken the businesses would “put a freeze on all rates and rental payments to Network Rail rental payments.”

The petition was signed by businesses including Tim Hortons, Grant Arms pub, and Wraps 4 All.

Brian Carnochan, owner of the Grant Arms pub, said: “Businesses signed a petition and complained to environmental health about it.

Thankfully they are now leaving. There was anti-social behaviour and the tables were coming alongside the outside of the bar.

“The job they are doing is good, I agree with that but it is in the wrong place.

The impact on the evening economy businesses is devastating. No-one is going to walk into a bar with a soup kitchen right outside.

“Staff also had to clean up mess from outside.

“I’m very glad they are finally moving but I don’t disagree with their aims.”

The charity has gained permission from Glasgow City Council to use land which will also see it kept under cover beneath the Railway bridge over Broomielaw but with no businesses in the immediate vicinity.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, said: “We’ve been involved in on-going discussions with HPS and Network Rail about the charity moving their soup kitchen away from its current location on Argyle Street.

“Agreement has been reached with HPS that will now allow them to operate from a space on Broomielaw on a temporary basis.

“This temporary agreement will help HPS to continue to operate their soup kitchen while they complete a move to indoor premises.”

A Network Rail spokesperson, said: "We are pleased to have assisted Homeless Project Scotland to deliver its services to Glasgow’s homeless population.

"We have been working with the charity to identify more suitable premises owned by Network Rail, which would ensure it can continue to deliver its vital services in line with health and safety requirements."