RESIDENTS in Garnethill still have no answers over what is being done to control the displacement of rats as the O2 ABC is demolished. 

Demolition work began on the historic Sauchiehall Street building in September after Glasgow City Council served a Dangerous Building Notice to the owners in August. 

The former cinema turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilled over onto it's roof in July 2018. 

Dangerous Buildings Notice (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) We previously reported that Bill Beckett, chair of Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch, had raised concerns about the number of rats possibly living there, saying the vacant building was an "ideal place for an infestation to breed". 

He told the Glasgow Times: "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."

READ NEXT: Iconic Glasgow building to be demolished after notice served

At the Garnethill Community Council meeting on Monday, November 11, residents asked attending councillors Christy Mearns, Eva Bolander and Angus Millar if they were aware of what the developers were doing to control the displacement of rats. 

They said they didn't know but would hope work was being undertaken. 

We previously reported that developers Vita Group submitted planning permission to the council to replace the O2 ABC with Purpose Built Student Accommodation for 356 students. 

The Glasgow Times contacted Vita Group to ask what measures were in place the control the rats population inside the building and ensure nearby residents are not affected. 

(Image: Charlie McGeachan)

A spokesperson said it "isn't the landowner and hasn't been carrying out demolition works."

They said questions should be directed to the building owner OBARCS Ltd. 

Contact details for OBARCS online proved to be elusive, however, Northern Ireland based Rich Sauces, a leading mayonnaise manufacturer, was listed as a 'related name'. 

They were contacted to provide a comment or contact details. 

READ NEXT: Window frame among items salvaged during Glasgow's O2 ABC demolition

A spokesperson responded to say Rich Sauces and Obarcs Holdings were sold to Solina Holdings in July and said "there is no current relationship to O2 ABC". 

Vita Group also did not respond with a contact for OBARCS when asked. 

Signage at the worksite points to Edinburgh-based CHAMIC being the contractors carrying out the demolition at the site. 

They also did not respond by the time of writing when asked what work was being done to ensure the rat population inside the building was kept under control. 

Glasgow City Council are not responsible for rodents at the site, however, they were contacted to see if they had any information that had been shared with them from the owners, developers or contractors. 

A spokesperson responded to say that pest control at the site "would be a matter for the owner and their contractor". 

They continued: "The council provides a pest control service for domestic premises only and we can respond to calls from householders as required, although householders can employ their own private contractor if they prefer.

"If anyone in the local area is concerned about pests coming on to their property they are advised to take some basic preventative measures in the first instance.

"This includes ensuring all food waste is properly contained within a suitable bin, clearing away any food that has been left out for birds or other wildlife, repairing any cracks in stone or pipe work that may allow pests to access a building and clearing away any material or vegetation that may provide cover for the pests."