Lease for Dalmarnock Legacy Hub to be negotiated with Glasgow charity

Negotiations on a lease for the office, former nursery and theatre space at Dalmarnock Legacy Hub between Glasgow City Council and Rockvilla CIC (community interest company) are to begin after a council committee decision today (14 March).

The building - which opened in October 2015 and was operated by the People's Development Trust - saw areas leased to a doctor's surgery, a dentist, a pharmacist and Scottish Sports Futures. The People's Development Trust went into administration in January 2019, with the council acquiring the building for £1.

Following this acquisition, the council undertook consultation on the future running and management of the building, with the aim of maintaining and increasing occupancy whilst serving the local community.

The preferred operational model for the building is for an external operator, and - to ensure inward investment and socio-economic development - it would have to attract both commercial and community use, with the operator both running the building and encouraging the local community to visit the services on offer.

Rockvilla CIC is viewed by the council as being able to meet these criteria, with the charity's business and operating model having been evaluated through their participation in the People Make Glasgow Communities programme.

The premises, the offices, the theatre/function suite and the former nursery and café are currently vacant, and the council is responsible for the holding costs including non-domestic rates and utility charges. Rockvilla CIC has experience in community theatre, allowing them to succeed in this specialised area, and while a CIC would normally qualify for a concessionary rent level, given the unusual semi-commercial operating model proposed, it is proposed to charge a rent more in line with the open rental market and generate an income for the council.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Neighbourhood Assets at Glasgow City Council, said: "The mismanagement and closure of the previous Dalmarnock Hub was a huge loss to the local community and hopefully this will be a major step on the way to bringing this fantastic facility back to life and seeing a range of services being offered to local people.  Stepping in to take over this asset allowed us to secure a building that has tremendous potential to benefit Dalmarnock and the surrounding areas, and working with community organisations means we can now look forward to its return to productive use."