Bridgeton charity 'devastated' to close after 40 years

A charity based in Bridgeton is being forced to close down after 40 years in business, as it is unable to find a permanent property.

The Glasgow Play-Resource Association has spent the last 4 decades transforming waste materials from businesses and individuals that would have been sent to landfill into usable resources for education and crafts.

However, in the last five years, the group has been subjected to a myriad of rises costs.

Rising costs

The rent in the charity's former premises doubled, and electricity costs have increased by 4 times - from £500 per month to almost £2,000.

The charity was handed a lifeline in it's current building in Bridgeton - but after being unable to secure an affordable, suitable alternative, bosses have made the decision to close permanently.

After saving 15 tonnes a year from going to landfill - volunteers are worried about how the closure will impact Glasgow's drive to net-zero.

'Who's going to carry on the work?'

Project Coordinator Sarah Paterson said: "Glasgow City Council have got their environmental targets and policies that they need to reach.

"With us closing - who is going to recycle that 15 tonnes that we're responsible for?

"It's now going to go to landfill, which is going to hinder the Council in reaching those targets.

"We were championing recycling before it was even a thing, but now, there is so much push for people to be recycling and doing their bit for the environment.

"We're doing what the councils and governments are encouraging us to do - who's going to carry that work on?"

'Knock-on impact'

Sarah added that there would be a "knock-on" impact on the wider community when the charity closes down on June 30.

She said: "There's going to be a wider effect on the groups and organisations that use us.

"We're one of the biggest organisation in Glasgow that promotes recycling, and we do so in a creative and educational way to get people to do that and take on that message."

Council spokeswoman said: “Officers have been supporting the organisation, but we have been unable to identify anything in the GCC estate that meets their requirements due to the size of the building they are looking for which is around 9,000 sqft.”

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