Glasgow charity set to lease 'derelict' council office as demand grows

Glasgow’s No1 Baby and Family Support Service will take over a Germiston building on a 25-year deal if councillors back the move on Thursday.

The lease of an old housing and council tax office at 30 Charles Street — at £750 per year — has been planned as the charity needs to expand its services due to the impact of the cost of living crisis.

It has been negotiated under the People Make Glasgow Communities programme, which gives local groups and charities an opportunity to take over the management of council venues.

Cllr Ruairi Kelly, SNP, the council’s convener for neighbourhood services and assets, said: “This is another example of the People Make Glasgow Communities programme helping local organisations deliver much-needed services to many people and groups, while bringing an unused building in the city back to life.

“This particular charity has been delivering an important service in Glasgow, and the lease for the Charles Street building will both help them and the people they assist.” 

The charity, which is run by Labour councillor Audrey Dempsey, aims to prevent or relieve poverty by distributing clothing, toys and other goods to those in need. It can also direct people to other support services.

A report by council officials stated the organisation has “experienced a considerable increase in demand for support due to the recent increases in the cost of living, and now requires to expand its services”.

It identified the property as “ideal for this purpose” and applied to the council. The report added: “The proposal to lease the vacant premises to No.1 Baby will bring a closed building back into use to provide considerable benefit to those members of the community who are in need of support.”

The single-storey building was used for council tax and housing benefit services but has “lain vacant for a number of years and the site is quite derelict”.