Talks start for new lease of life at historic city hall

TALKS are set to begin on a lease that would see a charitable trust take over the running of the A-listed Langside Hall in Glasgow’s south side.

The Langside Hall Trust, a registered charity, wants to run a “commercially viable” community hub, offering a theatre and performance space, as well as a venue for hire.

Council officials have reported the Hall is in need of “total renovation” and the trust would apply for funding for the refurbishment.

Glasgow councillors are recommended to approve the start of negotiations between council staff and the trust when they meet on Thursday. The deal would be part of the People Make Glasgow Communities programme, a council scheme where community groups and third sector bodies can “express an interest” in local venues.

Langside Hall was originally built in 1847 as the National Bank of Scotland and was moved brick by brick to its current location on Langside Avenue in 1903.

Currently, Glasgow Life, which runs culture and leisure services for the council, has a 25-year lease for the building, which began in 2007.

It was closed for maintenance in 2017 but had been available for hire before then, with rooms used for a range of events.

“The Hall, however, remains closed and is in need of total renovation”, a council report stated.

Set up in 2013, the Langside Hall Trust, made up of more than 400 local people, has developed partnerships with South Side-based organisations, such as Southside Fringe, Glad Cafe and South Glasgow Heritage and Environmental Trust.

The council report added: “The Trust intends to operate and manage a commercially viable community space, supported by incomegenerating and commercial activities.”