CALLS are being made for the gates to a city centre green space to be unlocked after Glasgow residents branded its opening time rules "draconian."

Blythswood Square Gardens, which were created in 1823 and are privately owned by a committee made up of proprietors based around the square, are padlocked following protests during the Occupy movement, which began in 2011.

The association now hires the space out for events, such as weddings or film shoots, at a cost of £95 to £995.

But residents and workers say the gardens should be free to use during the day.

A notice on the railings states the space will be opened at lunchtimes in July and August, Monday to Friday, on consecutive "sunny" days.

Marc Russell, 41, a bicycle messenger who lives in the West End, said that was too restrictive.

He said: "I've been doing this job for 12 years and I used to always meet my colleagues in the gardens.

"When they put fences up and shut it all off about two years ago we couldn't believe it. It seems draconian.

"I know there were Occupy protestors but it seems like they have taken a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

"When I have seen it open from noon to 3pm there's a security guard who has to get rid of people at the end of opening."

Mr Russell said it was "rare" to have a green space in the middle of Glasgow.

He added: "This one just lies empty most of the time. The people in the offices must want access at lunchtimes, too."

Matt Gilmour, 25, a student who lives in the West End, said: "It's not great having to perch on the wall outside the park. You have George Square, but that's not got much grass and it's boarded up now."

Jeremiah Reynolds, 28, an actor from Garnethill, added: "It seems like the space isn't being utilised enough."

The notice states it is "no different to the front gardens of a private home".

It added that in the garden's 200-year history it had only been 'open' for a few years when the post war mesh fence was removed and the railing reinstated.

Secretaries of the Blythswood Square Proprietors told the Evening Times that the gardens were under strict control to prevent any protesters taking over the space.

They declined to comment further.

Nina Baker, City Centre and Anderston Councillor, said: "It would certainly be nice if the gardens opened up during office hours.

"Although they are private it would be great for the workers round about."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk