THE former owners of a historic city building have been slammed as demolition crews prepare to move in.

Spectrum Properties were branded as “criminal” for allowing the B listed building next to the iconic Custom House to become dilapidated.

New owners Artisan Real Estate have now been granted permission to tear down the facility as they await a decision which could allow them to build a new four-star hotel on the riverside.

Planning bosses didn’t hold back in their criticism of Spectrum, who sold up last November, with buildings standards officers confirming the property was “a serious danger to the public”.

Approving the demolition, Councillor Hanzala Malik said: “We seem to be faced with a fait accompli.

“The previous owners have allowed it to get to that stage and then we have to pick up the pieces. It’s criminal and we need to do something about it.

“We need to take steps. If it means we have to fine people sitting with properties, then so be it.”

In February 2013 a fire ripped through the building, at 286 Clyde Street, damaging the interior, stair and the building.

Richard Brown, the council’s director of development and regeneration, said remedial work was agreed between the council and Spectrum.

But he claimed some of that work was never carried out.

Artisan bought the building in November last year when it was described as being in a “derelict condition”.

Their purchase was part of plans which could see Custom House transformed into a 300-room hotel complete with a bar, restaurant and conference facilities.

On December 21 last year stonework fell from the upper level of the Clyde and Dixon Street site, with police called and an emergency inspection carried out.

Planning applications committee members had questioned whether the façade of the building could be restored, but officers said there was no prospect of that.

Councillor Malcolm Cunning said Glasgow had developed a reputation for not being careful of its heritage.

Committee chairman Glenn Elder then put forward a motion that the demolition application be granted.

Councillors voted 8-8 for the motion and amendment. Mr Elder, as chair of the committee, was then given the deciding vote and agreed that the application be granted.

Clive Wilding, property director at Artisan, said: “The building has broken its back. Its condition was very dangerous.

“If we were able to retain the façade of the building that’s something we would have looked at. That was taken out of our hands after the incident in December, when the building literally started falling down.”

Mr Wilding said the current building was an “eyesore” and that demolition of the building would “start very soon”.

Of the hotel plans, he added: “It will have a massive positive impact in terms of the regeneration of that part of the city. I think it’s fantastic for Glasgow.”

A planning application for the whole site is expected to be submitted by June, with builders hoping to start construction of the hotel next year.

Spectrum were approached for comment.