January 8 2024

Demolition of a historic north Glasgow cinema could be imminent after a demolition warrant for the former former Vogue Cinema at Balmore Road, Possilpark, was signed over the Christmas break.

It had been hoped to stall the process by securing an 11th hour listing but delays in processing the necessary paperwork by Historic Environment Scotland mean that this isn't likely until later this month.

Coupled with the fact that Glasgow City Council has not yet issued a Bilding Preservation Notice, the site owners have a window of opportunity to legally proceed with their plans, with the expectation being that G&J Demolition could move on-site as early as this week. Hopes remain however that negative media attention may give Allied Vehicles pause rather than run the risk of protests that snap action may draw.

It is thought that the current endgame for the site is a four storey apartment block incorporating a ground floor car showroom, though facade retention has been ruled out on financial grounds. 

12 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 8 Jan 2024 at 11:16 AM

Current situation is a dog's breakfast reeking of short termism and penny pinching back in the day.

At least we now have some idea what are the future plans for the site -- RenCen it ain't -- and fascade retention seen as too expensive?

Suggests they need to get their thinking caps on and try again -- corner site with corporate potential should deliver some sort of visual icon / landmark status.

Big Auto knows that colour is free and texture is cheap -- maybe they should let their architects in on these little trade secrets.

Public / Social sector not leading the way on this -- look what happened to the Coliseum site on Eglinton Street.

Unloved then dereliction then fire -- seemed to suit everyone involved / very few tears shed and no toys thrown out of any pram in the vicinity.

Should this site be treated any differently?

#2 Posted by EM0 on 8 Jan 2024 at 14:32 PM

This is the Glasgow story through and through, it is fast becoming utterly charmless for what was once one of the best built cities in the world!

#3 Posted by The Ghetto King on 8 Jan 2024 at 15:11 PM

It was always going to be.
Delays in paperwork and notices and listings.
The equivalent of organisations not wanting to make eye contact with the public otherwise they would really have to do something.

#4 Posted by Terra_ on 9 Jan 2024 at 16:45 PM

…no shure aboot AI’s hiring oot kilts…

#5 Posted by Frank on 9 Jan 2024 at 18:55 PM

This would not happen if it was in the west end

#6 Posted by OhAyeMun on 10 Jan 2024 at 13:55 PM

" delays in processing the necessary paperwork by Historic Environment Scotland"

Can you substantiate this UR? Seems needlessly slanderous. HES state 6-12month timescale for listings and the Demolition Warrant was submitted in November 23. I suspect it was only then that any applications for listing were submitted as a panic.

#3 Surely UR readers are aware HES only act on applications made by the public and do not go out listing buildings off their own back?

#7 Posted by UR on 10 Jan 2024 at 14:53 PM

I understand that the listing decision was being fast-tracked to 5 January but this has now slipped to later in the month.

#8 Posted by OhAyeMun on 10 Jan 2024 at 15:26 PM

Perfect, so they are fast-tracking it. That doesn't warrant a mention in the article? What a negative spin to put on that fact.

#9 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 11 Jan 2024 at 10:09 AM

Why are they fast tracking it?
The building is a very poor / low rent version of Glesga Cinema City architecture.

Also why should we be proud of our "Cinema City" past -- what was the opportunity cost back in the day of paying for all those cinema tickets / cinematic follies when we had hunger / poor health / substance abuse / casual violence?

The village that never grew up angle is continually swept under the carpet as we reminisce about the good old days.

What are they fast tracking -- stodge at best plus its current iteration is a dogs dinner of its former self and a blight on the local landscape.

I fear we have hobby horser's in our midst.

#10 Posted by Callum on 11 Jan 2024 at 11:13 AM

@6 The listing application was made in July 23 and the owners submitted the demolition application in November 2023 knowing that there was a listing designation under consideration. The target date for a designation by Historic Environment Scotland was the 5th of January 24, which has not been achieved. If Glasgow City Council were to issue a Building Preservation Notice it would allow a further 6 months for Historic Environment Scotland to make the designation without a lawful demolition taking place.

#11 Posted by UR on 12 Jan 2024 at 16:03 PM

To update Historic Environment Scotland has decided not to list the cinema as "advanced development proposals" are underway. The report of handling showed it would otherwise earn a C-listing and was 'exceptional for its survival'.

#12 Posted by Mark on 13 Jan 2024 at 19:17 PM

#6 - You confidently state that HES only act on applications made by the public and do not go out listing buildings off their own back - but over the years, HS and HES have carried out reviews of particular building types, or the work of specific architects, and those exercises have led to a number of listing proposals?

Post your comments