A CITY centre resident says he is concerned about the number of rats that could be displaced when the ABC building is demolished.

We previously reported the iconic Sauchiehall Street building will be demolished after a Dangerous Building Notice was served by Glasgow City Council.

The historic former cinema-turned-nightclub has lain derelict since the Glasgow School of Art fire spilled over to its roof and tore through the B-listed structure in 2018.

The notice requires that the front and side facades are demolished “along with their immediately attached floor and roof structures” and it states that work must begin by Monday, September 30.

READ NEXT: Iconic city centre building to be demolished after notice served

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Now Bill Beckett, chair of Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch, says he is concerned about the number of rats that will have been living in the building and will be forced into the area’s streets.

He said: "Our concern is when the demolishers step in, because it’s been closed for so long, how is it going to handled because we are expecting a lot of infestation.

"We believe there could be a lot of infestation inside the premises because alcohol was sold inside the premises and the smell of alcohol will linger and there would have been food lying about so the rats will have thrived and made a home for themselves.

"It’s the ideal place for an infestation to breed."

Sign on the fencing at Buccleuch Street flatsSign on the fencing at Buccleuch Street flats (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

It comes following concerns about rat infestations in several areas of Garnethill, an issue Bill says has been ongoing for several years.

Currently, there are four key areas where there are issues with rats; Buccleuch Street, close to where it meets Cambridge Street, Renfrew Street under the footbridge crossing the M8, a backcourt of a building on Sauchiehall Street behind Garnethill Primary School and behind flats on Hill Street near the Garnethill Viewpoint.

Bills says hundreds of rodents have been plaguing the areas.

Rat burrow at Buccleuch Street flatsRat burrow at Buccleuch Street flats (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Pest control are working currently working at the Buccleuch Street, Renfrew Street and Sauchiehall Street sites. 

In Buccleuch Street, grass surrounding a block of flats owned by Link Housing Association has been fenced off so the area, which has more than 30 rat burrows, can be treated with rodenticide baits.  

Bill said: "There are good signs. A couple of rats have been found lying on the ground dead so it’s taking effect.

"All the residents are happy it’s getting dealt with."

Backcourt behind Sauchiehall Street where rats have chewed through the wall behind Garnethill Primary SchoolBackcourt behind Sauchiehall Street where rats have chewed through the wall behind Garnethill Primary School (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Meanwhile the rats in the Sauchiehall Street back court have chewed through the green bins and the walls behind Garnethill Primary School, which Bills says is of particular concern.

He continued: "The rats are running about on top of the bins in day time and they’re inside some of the bins jumping about, you can hear them.

"It’s just constant with these rats."

READ NEXT: Call for council leader to visit rat-infested Glasgow street

Renfrew Street infestation siteRenfrew Street infestation site (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Bill has also praised the pest control officers who are dealing with the infestation but says there are not enough employed by the council to deal with the scale of the issue. 

He added: "Glasgow City Council pest control officers are running ragged and we would like to see the council start recruiting more resources in that area because if they want to control that infestations it’s going to take years."

Hill Street infestation siteHill Street infestation site (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "The council is not aware of issues with rodents within this particular building (O2 ABC).

"On occasion, the vibrations from demolition and construction activities can displace rodents from adjacent areas.

"We will liaise with the demolition and construction contractors in controlling any issues with rodents that may arise from activities on this site.

"It should be noted that Glasgow City Council is one of only a few local authorities in the UK that continues to provide a free service for the treatment of rats to residents.

"Commercial companies/businesses are expected to provide their own pest control measures.

"Developers and construction contractors are expected to employ qualified pest control professionals where necessary, and to work with them to develop and follow safe, effective and environmentally responsible pest management strategies.

"Such strategies should be capable of being audited as part of the project management programme.

"Such expectations are part of the general responsibility of site management to provide a safe working environment for employees, contractors, and others who may affected by their work, under the Health and Safety at Work, Etc. Act 1974.

Glasgow residents can report issues with rats via our online form at: https://glasgow.gov.uk/pestcontrol."

A spokesperson for Link Housing added: "Last month, we met with our tenants at Buccleuch Street to discuss concerns regarding rats in the area.

"Following this, Link has been in close contact with Glasgow City Council’s Environmental Health Services team, who has taken several measures at Buccleuch Street to support Link tenants and the wider community, including baiting areas, blocking access points, erecting fencing and relocating bins.

"The situation is being monitored regularly and further steps will be taken as appropriate."