Following the announcement in 2022 that Glasgow City Council had been awarded and accepted £3.7m in funding for Glasgow Community Projects, The Tollcross Winter Gardens was subsequently awarded £1m to be saved and renovated along with construction of a new early years children's nursey on the site of the dilapidated Millennium Visitor Centre to the rear of the Glasshouse. 

I'm delighted to announce that this restoration project has now been completed and the Tollcross Winter Gardens structure has been saved. 

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, shared and engaged with it. I never expected to get as much traction as we did and to achieve 11,504 signatures is just overwhelming and really shows the passion and love the people of Glasgow have for our treasured public spaces. I loved reading the comments throughout the years and hearing everyone's memories and stories of the Winter Gardens. 

It would be remiss of me however to not point out that a change of use was also approved by Glasgow City Council and the Winter Gardens has regrettably not been returned to horticultural use, instead the plan by Glasgow City Council is for the space to be used for 'assembly and leisure' by the local community. 

Despite the renovation works being completed in June 2023 the building appears to be lying empty and under utilized. There has also been a spate of vandalism with around 20 panes of glass being smashed which local councilor's have been extremely vocal to condemn. 

The current trajectory of the Winter Gardens does not fill one with optimism regarding the future viability of the site however the purpose of this petition was to save the B-Listed Victorian conservatory and that has been achieved.

It is now over to Glasgow City Council and the local community to find a sustainable plan so that the Winter Gardens can be enjoyed by the local community for generations to come. 

The City of Glasgow and the East End in particular cannot afford to lose another community asset and heritage site so it is my sincere hope that a long term vision for the site can be implemented. 

Image Credit : HawkAyeScotland