Cash boost beefs up meat market redevelopment plan

The hub will be built on the site of the former Glasgow Meat Market

A disused meat market site in the East End of Glasgow has taken a step towards being transformed into a community and sports hub.

The proposal has been boosted by a City Deal grant worth nearly £4.5m, with £1.9m contributed by both the UK and Scottish governments.

Under the plans, a flexible site will be developed to include sports facilities, a bar and bistro, event space, a learning centre and an "enterprise incubator" aimed at supporting small businesses, as well as an active travel route.

The site at the Bellgrove sheds has lain dormant since the 1990s.

A "linear park" will also form part of the plan, creating an active travel route between Bellgrove Street and Melbourne Street.

Other elements of the proposal include a community growing space and a heritage activity programme, while the B-listed Meat Market Superintendent's House would eventually be converted into an active travel hub.

Planning permission and a long-term lease for the site were recently granted by Glasgow City Council, following initial restoration work.

The meat market has been vacant since the 1990s

Cllr Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council said the plan would create a flexible and accessible space to benefit the city.

She said: "I am delighted that City Deal funding will contribute toward this fantastic project which will see heritage assets brought back into positive use, and the transformation of this key site which has lain dormant for many years.

"Re-imagining the listed Meat Market sheds into a flexible, accessible space for communities and businesses will deliver both local and wider benefits, whilst the new linear park running through the site will improve its connectivity to the city centre and wider neighbourhood."

The grant will contribute towards the re-development of the sheds - including construction of the enterprise centre as well as hard and soft landscaping.

It will also cover construction costs of the linear park and securing the superintendent's house on Melbourne Street.

The new facility could be used for events and art shows

Patrick Flynn, chair of the Meat Market Community Interest Company that looks after the site, said the plan would "reflect the aims of local people in terms of community use and job and training opportunities."

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes - who this week announced her intention to stand down as an MSP next year - said that, building on its initial investment, Holyrood will have contributed a total of £5.6m to help create the "bustling hub".

The Glasgow Meat Market was established in 1879 and initially housed an inn, sheds and accommodation for livestock.

It was one of the last remaining markets in the country before closing in the 1980s. The area has been vacant since the 1990s when the car auction, which was present on the site for several years, closed.