Glasgow residents torn over former Vogue Cinema demolition

The Possilpark building, which opened up in 1933 but has been lying dormant since the 90s, has been subject to much debate amongst local politicians, Glasgow City Council and national trusts since early last year.

We reported at the start of the week that Glasgow City Council served a building preservation notice to halt the demolition process after works on the roof had already begun earlier in the month.

The move gives Historic Scotland a six-month period in which to consider listing the building.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will then conduct a review and a public consultation on listing the building. The decision will be subject to appeal to the Scottish Government.

So, what do locals think of this last-minute grasp to keep the city landmark?

We headed up to Balmore Road to find out just that.

William Cranston, 74, said: “I remember as a kid going to the matinee at the Vogue Cinema in the afternoon.

“I used to work at the shipyards and I’d come home, go to the cinema, and just relax and watch a good movie.

“I feel good knowing that the demolition is no longer going ahead. The building should be saved, shouldn’t it?

“I wonder who even thought of demolishing it in the first place. It’s a nice building and a historic one.

“I think it should be kept.”

Betty Bonner had similar sentiments and fond memories. 

The 73-year-old said: “When my husband and I started going together – we used to go to the Vogue Cinema.

“It’s a memory, isn’t it? I’m glad it’s being saved.”
 

Another local Mary believes preserving the building is important for the city's future. 

The 68-year-old explained: “It’s an important place for the community and it’s a listed building as well.

“These buildings have to be saved - they’re important to the future of Glasgow.”

Meanwhile, Graham, 54, agreed saying: “It’s good that it’s being saved because it’s been part of the community for a long time now.

“It’s changed a lot over the years from a cinema to a bingo hall – and it would be a shame to see it gone.”

However, some residents admitted that they did not see a point in saving the ‘eyesore’.

Possilpark school pals Jean Fagan and Maureen Connolly could not help but question the U-turn.

Jean, 77, said: “I don’t see any point in keeping it because it’s just going to rot away.

“I loved it there when I was younger. On a Saturday I would go and my brother would play the guitar during the intervals and me and my pals used to dance.

“But it’s an eyesore, people will end up just walking past and seeing the place fall to bits and say – I used to go there.”

Maureen, 77, added: “It’s been lying empty for years.

“It was a great place to be when you were young, but I wouldn’t say leave it up - I don’t see a point.”

The decision to demolish the building was granted in December 2023.

It came despite a proposal to list the building, which was submitted by campaigners in June 2023, in a bid to save it from demolition.

Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney joined calls to save the building.

In conversation with the Glasgow Times, he said: "I met (Allied Vehicles, who own the building) just before Christmas and they explained that they have future expansion plans involving the site so there must be a balance struck between retaining local architectural heritage and promoting industrial development.

"Perhaps there is an opportunity to reach a compromise where the main façade is retained and integrated into any future new-build development. There are specialist architects with conservation expertise and several good examples of this approach, such as the Odeon on Renfield Street, Ascot in Anniesland and Toledo in Muirend.

“Grant funds may also be an option to help retain a listed façade. I'm eager to work with the owner to explore that option further and extend an offer of help to find a way through this unfortunate impasse.

"Having a roofless building sitting at such a prominent junction is obviously an unsustainable situation so I hope we can now move quickly with Glasgow City Council and Historic Environment Scotland to find a solution which allows for the growth of Allied Vehicles, which is an advanced manufacturing company of strategic importance in the north of Glasgow, whilst retaining Possilpark's local heritage assets where it is feasible to do so."

Allied Vehicles were contacted for comment.