HERITAGE bosses are eyeing the reopening of one of Glasgow's most historical buildings.

There have been calls to reopen Pollok House after it appeared on a list of National Trust Scotland (NTS) properties proposed to remain closed until 2021. 

READ MORE: Children with cancer were ‘exposed to risk’ at Glasgow’s QEUH

 

The head of the Trust said it was not confirmed when the house would reopen, but that there was the possibility it could open later this year. 

A petition was launched, which has garnered 421 signatures at the time of writing, calling for the historic manor to reopen to the public. 

The petition reads: "Pollok House is a hub that many in the local community depend on. By closing Pollok House, including the Edwardian Cafe, a team of devoted staff will lose their jobs and the people of Glasgow are deprived of an easily accessible heritage site and social space as lockdown eases.

"We hope by showing how much people care about Pollok House, the National Trust for Scotland will reconsider and reopen Pollok House."

Simon Skinner, the Chief Executive of the NTS said: “Our charity is in trouble through no fault of our own – our only way back is to take action now and make some difficult choices.

READ MORE: Orange Order plan to march online rather than city streets next month

“We are going to have to live within our means – not just at the moment while lockdown is still effectively in full force, but in the coming months too when such public sector support as there is dries up and the wider visitor economy remains badly wounded.   For the Trust to remain a going concern we have to decide which properties we can afford to open, either because they will generate sufficient visitor numbers to help with our recovery, or because we can find ways to re-open them that will be compliant with the new normal of public health restrictions.

“We have already missed the busiest season for some properties, and it simply isn’t viable to re-open them in the latter part of the year.  So, we will keep them closed until the ‘new’ season begins in Easter of 2021.  Having said that, in some cases where the historic building or centre is closed, it will still be possible to admit visitors to grounds and gardens.

“In the case of Pollok House, we haven’t yet confirmed when we can re-open the building and there is a possibility we can still do this in the current year.

READ MORE: Carnwadric Church and community spaces attacked AGAIN by vandals

“I appreciate that many people will be disappointed if their favourite property is closed for a time longer.  These are not choices we wanted to make but we need to take them to ensure that the Trust gets through this period and emerges from the other side ready to do what it does best.

“We have approached the Scottish Government for financial support and, if this were forthcoming, it may allow us to open more properties more quickly.”