Glasgow's Lighthouse building could become 'net zero hub'

The A-listed building on Mitchell Lane has not been open since before the Covid pandemic in 2020

Glasgow's Lighthouse building, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, could become a "net zero innovation hub" under new plans.

Councillors are being asked to approve a 99-year lease when they meet on Thursday, subject to planning approval and funding.

The local authority would receive rental income of 8% of revenue generated as a result of the deal with Sustainable Ventures Ltd, a climate tech incubator.

The A-listed building on Mitchell Lane, previously home to The Herald newspaper and Scotland's centre for architecture and design, closed "temporarily" at the start of the Covid pandemic but has not re-opened since.

A previous report to councillors stated the proposal could secure the long-term future of the building and support local supply chains.

It is expected there will be space for "clean tech companies" in Scotland to start up and grow, with an ambition to create thousands of high-skilled jobs over the first 10 years.

A new report by council officials said the local authority had reached an agreement to get vacant possession - where a property must be empty of people and belongings - of the two areas of the upper floors currently leased out.

It was previously suggested the building could be reopened to tourists and school parties, and the report states the agreement with Sustainable Ventures includes "public access provisions".

In April, councillors approved the use of £2m of UK government funding on repairs at the Lighthouse.

They heard how windows, gutters, brickwork and the chimney would be improved, with broken slates replaced, a leak fixed on the viewing platform roof and windows and doors resealed too.

The building was designed by Mackintosh and opened in 1895.

The firm set to take the lease is linked to Sustainable Workspaces CIC, which has workspaces in London and Manchester.

Officials previously reported the firm had "broadly supported over 700 climate tech SMEs to scale, who have raised over £1.3bn and created 6,500 green inclusive jobs".

Reporting by local democracy reporter Drew Sandelands.