November 27 2020

Glasgow City Council has raised the prospect of a compulsory purchase order to take control of an eyesore pub in Springburn which has lain derelict for close to 20 years.

Negotiations are ongoing with the owners to broker a sale of the Talisman at 149 Balgrayhill Road but a plan b has been lined up in case these go the way of previous failed negotiations.

Councillor Ruari Kelly commented: “The condition of this former pub has been a blight on Springburn for too long now, and the demolition of the building and the redevelopment of the site would be a key contribution to the area’s regeneration. The council will do everything in its power to make this happen, and community wellbeing will be at the forefront of our decision-making.”

Over the years a series of false starts, in which the local authority agreed to sell neighbouring parcels of land to allow redevelopment, fell through after the owner reneged on commitments to demolish the dangerous building.

An action plan published by the Springburn Regeneration Forum proposes that the council step into the vacuum by acquiring and clearing the property to allow for 'meanwhile use' as community green space, but this cannot be pursued while the owner holds firm against a sale.

7 Comments

#1 Posted by David on 27 Nov 2020 at 09:54 AM

All this work and negotiation for the site of a derelict pub in Springburn, yet the Egyptian Halls, one of Scotland's finest Victorian buildings right in the heart of the city is left to sit and decay? I think the council's should re-examine their priorities here.

#2 Posted by Is He Metzstein? on 27 Nov 2020 at 10:43 AM

I have no idea why, but this building has fascinated me for ages. Springburn's Cardross.

#3 Posted by Is He Andy MacMillan? on 27 Nov 2020 at 11:41 AM

Actually you are right - this is being demolished at the wrong time scruffy brutalism - keep it looking exactly the way it is but make it watertight and open a super exclusive night club where the bouncers turn you away if you're not cool enough, like the one in Berlin that's turned me away a few times - that's how to regenerate Springburn, not some same old redevelopment.

#4 Posted by Whispering Andy on 27 Nov 2020 at 12:03 PM

Whisper it.......but I imagine a wee pub in Springburn is much more straight forward to resolve than the rubix cube that is the Egyptian Halls.

On that matter, I was lucky enough to get a walk around the Egyptian Halls, and it really is in a sorry state. Facade retention is likely to be the only hope, though even that is big ask. I would be preparing ourselves for that building disappearing in the upcoming years.

#5 Posted by David on 27 Nov 2020 at 17:13 PM

#4, Whispering Andy, has the interior really deteriorated to the point of no return?

I'm not sure if I see the Egyptian Halls disappearing entirely, I think that there would be such a public outcry that I don't think it would be allowed to happen. The blame here lies with the current owner, who is a total cowboy, but the council could be more proactive in a compulsory purchase procedure. And should be prioritising this rather than some derelict pub in Springburn, even if it is more complex.

#6 Posted by jimbob tanktop on 27 Nov 2020 at 17:16 PM

Ah, the famous Talisman Bar, ultimately owned by the scrupulous and renowned M******n family, indigenous purloiners of quality items and pedlars of what-have-yous and the like. In no way related to the ongoing malkyings in nearby supermarket carparks and close-at-hand community centres, when such open-ended brouhaha inexplicably came under renewed pressure following Ra Cooncil elections of 2017, seemingly, it is said in hushed tones in local bars that are, somehow, not condemned but simply look that way, a previously protective shield somewhat atomized.

#7 Posted by G Man on 2 Dec 2020 at 08:49 AM

Looks like something that is synonymous to all that is associated with Trainspotting..

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