MARKET BACK IN BUSINESS
... but only for some after huge fruit market fire
WORKERS returned to Glasgow’s fruit market today after a fire destroyed several units.
Part of the wholesale base in the city’s East End survived the blaze – and it was business as usual for many as customers and deliveries made their way in and out of the complex.
WORKERS returned to Glasgow’s Fruit Market today after a fire destroyed several units.
Part of the Glasgow institution in the city’s East End survived the blaze which started early yesterday – and it appears it was business as usual as customers and deliveries made their way in and out of the complex.
Those wanting to get access to the Glasgow institution in Blochairn were, however, met by a police cordon at the main gate.
Three officers stood in the torrential rain holding clipboards. They gave access to wholesalers who were queuing to get in before 9am, which appeared to be a peak time for business.
The cops, however, took a note of the registration number of the car and a name.
A firefighter also stood guard on Blochairn Road with a hose attached to a hydrant, signally that their work was not done.
An appliance was also seen leaving the scene before 9am but the Scottish Fire and Rescue service remain at the site more than 24 hours after the blaze first started.
A spokesman for City Proper- ties, who run the site, said: “Due to the efforts of the emergency services, traders, council services and City Property staff we were able to reopen part of the site to accommodate trading last night and through into this morning.
“The west warehouse building within the markets depot, as well as previously vacant units, have been made available for those tenants who had their premises damaged by the fire so they can continue trading.
“We are providing all possible support to assist our tenants affected at this time and will continue to explore ways that we can improve the current situation. “
Meanwhile, traders and politicians have called for support to help businesses affected at Blochairn Fruit Market have said the site is a vital part of Scotland, and Glasgow’s, economy and it must be re-established.
More t han 400 j obs are supported at the site, which has been running since 1969.
SNP MSP Bob Boris and Councillor Allan Casey, Labour MP Paul Sweeney and business owners have all called for support from Glasgow City Council for the essential trading.
Jim McGuire, who runs J McGrain Ltd, has been based at the fruit market site for a decade and ran his business from the fish market before that for 40 years.
He said: “There is only one fruit market in the whole of Scotland like this. It’s the council and the Government’s responsibility to put the funds in and help get it back up running again.
“If they don’t then it will just vanish. That’s the way it’ll be.
“It’s up to the Scottish Govern- ment and the council to get it built back up again.”
SNP MSPs Bob Doris and Allan Casey yesterday wrote to Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken to appeal for help to save the site and its jobs.
The letter stated: “We would request that the council urgently assesses how it may be able to assist this important and significant