Possilpark hub closure is slammed by Glasgow charity boss

Some of Possilpark’s most vulnerable youngsters, who attend Possilpoint Community Centre in Denmark Street, have been left to go hungry after workmen arrived on Tuesday at 5pm and declared the hub off limits.

Glasgow Life – who manage the building – made the decision after condemning its boiler as unsafe, but users say the move came without warning and has left them in complete disarray.

The centre is closed due to a boiler issue. (Image: GT)

Young People’s Futures are one of the charities which use the hub daily to serve hot meals to over 100 local youngsters.

It’s chair Brian Land says the decision to shut the doors so suddenly has left their Holiday Hunger programme in a state of flux, as well as meaning line dancing classes and community events for the elderly have had to be halted.

The 47-year-old added: “The centre should never have been allowed to fall into a state of such disrepair for something like this to unfold, it is a disgrace.

“This is ultimately the result of long-running neglect, negligence which is slaughtering communities. This could not have happened at a worse time as it is the school holidays, a time when families rely on the support we provide.

Brian Land at the Possilpoint Centre (Image: GT)“Places like Possilpoint are the heartbeat of their communities and they have suffered under Glasgow Life’s mismanagement for too long.

“We all pay our council tax, but we feel we don’t get the same treatment as those living in other areas. Glasgow Life is investing as little as they can in places like this - the people in Glasgow’s most deprived areas deserve better.”

Glasgow Life have offered Barmulloch Community Centre as an alternative, but Brian says it is too far away to meet their needs.

He explained: “It is miles away, and many of the people who attend the centre don’t have transport of their own. It’s not as simple as asking a family to get on a bus and make the journey to somewhere else.”

The charity boss says it is time for the council to begin a major overhaul of how community facilities are managed.

He added: “Glasgow Life have proven time and time again they are not capable of running them. They have ruined decent facilities in many deprived areas while the jewels in their portfolio receive proper investment so Glasgow looks good for visitors and tourists. It’s not on.

Brian Land is calling for action to reopen the Possilpoint Centre (Image: GT) “The most vulnerable people in our communities - children and adults - are suffering deprivation, poverty, fuel and food price increases, yet they cannot continue to attend a vital project to provide them with a nutritious meal, ironically a programme that the council itself has funded.”

Brian is calling on Glasgow Life to carry out the necessary works to get the centre back up and running.

He added: “I understand people’s safety can’t be compromised, but we need action to get the centre open again.

“Moving things elsewhere isn’t a solution that works for the people of Possilpark.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said they are working to bring the centre back into operation.

They said: “The unexpected failure of the boiler at Possilpoint Community Centre on Tuesday left the building without heating or hot water, offering no option other than to close the building.

"We have worked with all let holders to offer alternative suitable facilities and will continue to engage with any organisation that wishes to find a new home. Glasgow Life is working with contractors to explore temporary works and the permanent replacement of the boilers to bring the building back into use as soon as possible.

"Working within the budget available to us, we deliver a carefully planned programme of repairs and maintenance across our estate, but even so, equipment can and does fail.”