Fire-ravaged O2 ABC could become student flats

The Sauchiehall Street venue has lain empty since the fire

A Glasgow music venue devastated by a fire could be turned into a food hall and student flats.

Urban regeneration company Vita Group has proposed the new accommodation for the former O2 ABC venue on the city's Sauchiehall Street.

The building, which dates back to 1875, was badly damaged in the Glasgow School of Art fire in June 2018.

Public consultation on the new plans will begin in February.

The Vita Group stated that the new proposal would create a "vibrant" community space as well as "reduce a shortfall" in student flats in the city.

The company previously developed the Vita Student West End accommodation in the city, while another proposal by the group - for student flats on India Street in Glasgow - is currently going through planning departments.

The site has lain empty since the fire, and was described by Stuart Patrick - the chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce - as a "blight" on the area.

Previous proposals to demolish the site entirely in 2019 were met with strong opposition from politicians, music industry representatives and conservation groups.

However music industry body the Music Venue Trust expressed disappointment to BBC Scotland News regarding the lack of a like-for-like replacement for the ABC, which became a music venue in 2005 and hosted thousands of gigs and club nights.

The distinctive turquoise roof of the O2 ABC was easily recognisable in aerial images

The roof of the O2 ABC collapsed in as a result of fire

The new plan would see the food hall focused on allowing "concept" restaurants to open in the city, with a provision for student accommodation built above it.

It will tie into the ongoing regeneration plan for Glasgow's so-called "Golden Z" area, covering the city's central shopping precincts.

James Rooke, head of planning for Vita Group, said: "Our aim is to regenerate this anchor site, bringing forward exciting plans for a vibrant food destination on the ground floor which celebrates community, creates a building which interjects with the adjacent buildings and importantly complements the framework set out for the Golden Z."

An urban park in the area is also featured among the design proposals.

Mr Patrick said they welcomed the plans "with open arms".

The aftermath of the fire

He said: “Sauchiehall Street has been identified as one of the biggest challenges we face, and the ABC is just one of the many current blights on this vital artery which highlight the scale of that challenge."

During the ABC's 144-year history it has been a diorama theatre, a circus, a dancehall and a cinema - and hosted Glasgow's first public film in 1896.

Mark Davyd, the chief executive of the Music Venue Trust, said: "We have repeatedly been assured that whatever the outcome of planning/development around the ABC site, a similarly-sized concert hall with a prominent role as a live music venue would be guaranteed to emerge and replace the O2 venue.

"So the simple question we would ask the developer and Glasgow City Council is 'can they show it to us on these plans?'"

Glasgow City Council has been approached for comment.

The first public consultation for the proposal will be on 13 February at the Renfield Training Centre on Bath Street, between 15:00 and 19:00.