People's Palace in Glasgow re-opens to public
But campaigners say large parts of the building will still be closed off.
Last updated 23rd Feb 2022
The People's Palace in Glasgow re-opens to members of the public for the first time in months this morning, but there are fears the iconic building isn't what it used to be.
It has been closed since September for essential maintenance works and it will now welcome visitors back seven days a week for the first time since the pandemic struck.
Chair of the Friends of the People's Palace and Winter Gardens Elspeth King claims large parts of the building will be out of bounds.
She told Clyde 1: "There will be no canteen, no shop and the top floor has things wrong with it as there is still plaster work needing finished.
"The middle floor is quite bare at the moment too.
"The building is just a shadow of what it once was."
'Don't forget the Winter Gardens'
Campaigners will be there from 10am handing out leaflets and calling for the building to be restored to its former glory and for the Winter Gardens to be re-opened.
Elspeth added: "We will be explaining the situation to people and asking them to join us as we up the pressure to get full restoration of the People's Palace and the Winter Gardens.
"It's pointless just opening the toilets with a small bit of museum attached."
READ MORE: Fears for future of Winter Gardens
Depute leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow Life, David McDonald, said: "The council has spent almost £1m on improving the fabric of the building.
"However, we need more resources to bring it to the level we would like it to be at.
"We want to build the strongest possible case for the local community, the city and the country getting behind this amazing venue."