Mackintosh cordon expected to be relaxed on Saturday

The cordon around the gutted Mackintosh building is expected to be relaxed on Saturday.

A large no-go zone has been in force ever since a blaze ripped through the renowned Glasgow School of Art (GSA) property on June 15.

Residents and businesses could be allowed to return this weekend as long as building standards officials complete the necessary work, expected to be done by Friday evening.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Dismantling and stabilisation works on the Mackintosh building have reached a point where a substantial part of the building should soon be considered safe.

“As a result, we hope to be able to reduce the cordon to a point where residents and businesses to the east of the Mackintosh building and on the south side of Sauchiehall Street will be able to return to their properties.

“Clearly, residents and businesses will have views about how that process should take place and we are meeting directly with those involved to discuss that.''

It is understood a relaxation on Scott Street, to the west, is not expected to happen in the near future.

Meanwhile, solicitors at Govan Law Centre have said they are looking at potential cases over the “abysmal'' treatment of members of the local community.

Lawyers, who met community representatives on Monday, said 33 households have been displaced in Garnethill and 55 Sauchiehall Street businesses affected, with people refused entry to collect items including passports, car keys, medicines and clothes.

The safety has been in place while work has been ongoing to stabilise and preserve what is left of the building.

GSA director, Professor Tom Inns, said that enabling community members to return to their homes and businesses as soon as possible was the priority.

A council spokesman added: “The council has acted under Section 29 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 in order to protect life.

“Our priority remains getting residents and businesses back to their properties safely.'