More than 40,000 people have signed a petition to keep Glasgow’s night shelter open after it was served with an enforcement notice by the city council.

Homeless Project Scotland is a charity run entirely by volunteers and looks to offer a safe haven for those experiencing homelessness.

As well as offering advice the organisation is known for its soup kitchen, which serves hot food 365 days a year, a 24/7 emergency hotline to provide advice to people across the country and a mobile food van which serves free meals to vulnerable people in multiple locations.  

The emergency night shelter has helped more than 8,000 people in need of accommodation since January this year.  

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It is now facing closure after Glasgow City Council sent an enforcement order following complaints from the local community council, residents and businesses in connection with the unauthorised use of the premises. 

The enforcement notice was served last month and allows a six week period of appeal. Once it reaches October 18 and no appeal has been submitted the charity has three months to stop using the premises.

The council has confirmed that Homeless Project Scotland can still lodge a planning application for a change of use but no appeal or application has been received at this stage. 

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 Colin McInnes, chairman of the charity, has confirmed that his organisation is working to put together a planning application and will be appealing the notice.

He said: “It is with great concern that we address the enforcement notice threatening the closure of our volunteer-led night shelter in Glasgow, the only one of its kind in Scotland. 

“The overwhelming support from the 38,000+ individuals who have signed our petition reflects the crucial role this shelter plays in providing warmth and refuge to 33+ individuals each night. 

“We are hopeful that the First Minister of Scotland will consider the voices of our community and the urgent needs of our most vulnerable homeless population. 

“We urge everyone to sign and share the petition to stand in solidarity with those in need during this critical time, if the shelter closes people will die on the cold streets alone. Step up today and sign our petition.”

Glasgow City Council says it has encouraged HPS to submit a planning application and has been left with no choice but to scrutinise how the building is operated.

A council spokesperson said: “The occupants have not submitted a planning application for change of use despite efforts to encourage them to do so. There has also been a lack of engagement from the property owner.

“Therefore, there has been no opportunity to scrutinise how the building is operated to ensure that it is safe, well managed and satisfies the relevant policies. There has also been no evidence provided to show that it complies with Care Inspectorate National Standards. 

 “There have been multiple crime reports and complaints linked to these premises since it began to be used as an unauthorised homeless shelter in December 2023.

  “Based on the available evidence, fears from residents and businesses that the unauthorised use of the building is directly contributing to anti-social behaviour and crime in the area appear to be well founded.

“To protect the safety and well-being of the community and given the previous lack of engagement from the occupants to progress with a planning application, we believe it is necessary to take action to cease the unauthorised use of these premises.  It remains open for the occupants to submit a planning application for assessment through the usual process.”

To view the petition visit Change.org/SaveGlasgowNightShelter.