Council supports Glasgow's built heritage

Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee today (10 November) approved continued funding for organisations supporting Glasgow's built heritage after a report on the city's Built Heritage Support Review.

The council supports the built heritage of the city through funding for the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Glasgow City Heritage Trust, and agreed to continue this funding at the committee.

This built heritage is a key part of Glasgow's attraction for tourist visitors, with a recent survey finding that around one-third of visits are driven by Glasgow's cultural heritage.  Research also suggests that well-kept built heritage brings a sense of well-being to residents.

Today's committee agreed to continue the funding of Glasgow City Heritage Trust - which they share with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on a 2:5 basis - at the current annual level of £240,000.  Without this council funding, the HES funding would be lost.

Glasgow City Heritage Trust, set up in 2005, has ensured significant work has been carried out across Glasgow with 121 historic buildings repaired, 22 vacant historic buildings brought back to life and 189 community and educational projects over the past few years.  The trust is able to attract levels of funding (£60 of repair grant funding for every £1 of Glasgow City Council support) to allow this.

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, established in 1982, have organised the council-supported Glasgow Doors Open Day festival for the past 26 years and has a successful track record in bringing vacant property back into productive use.  The latter has been achieved through built heritage projects, feasibility studies, repair works and assistance with funding applications for other bodies.

Councillor George Redmond, Executive Member for Jobs, Business and Investment at Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow's built heritage is important, culturally, socially and economically, and we support it through our funding for both the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Glasgow City Heritage Trust.  Our continued support shows our commitment to maintain and promote what is an essential part of the city's identity."

It is estimated that the built heritage sector generates £2.3billion for Scotland's economy, accounting for 2.5% of Scotland's total employment, with 60,000 FTE employees (including seasonal employment).