Glasgow’s East End glasshouse, rebuilt for £1M, is underused. Vandalism and lack of facilities hinder its potential use.
Vandals broke about 20 window panes. It is in Tollcross Park. Locals want toilets installed there. This would help attract more visitors.
Councillor Kerr suggests using a donation. The McVitie’s owner, Pladis, might make this donation. Ellen Stewart also supports this idea.
Ellen chairs Friends of Tollcross Park. She questions building it without a plan. Public funds paid for the glasshouse’s repairs. This happened by June 2023.
Residents think it is underused. Sacro’s garden project is a frequent visitor. Tollcross Housing Association holds events there sometimes.
They must then rent toilets. This makes it hard to use, says Ellen. The community council also notes the broken windows. They call the vandalism “disgusting.”
Councillor Kerr is worried. He thinks it will fall apart again. Another million was already spent, he pointed out. He says it sits unguarded now.
He wants it to be a busy hub. They want toilets and maybe a kitchen too. A cafe could sell coffee, they suggest. This would enhance the park’s landscape.
The park has a restored mansion and a nursery. Kerr thinks the Pladis donation should help. It could also support Tollcross Children’s Farm in the park.
Glasgow City Council responded. They accepted the donation last month. They said they will explore how to use the money. They will create another report. This will detail how to spend it.