Notorious Glasgow hostel to shut down
The notorious Bellgrove hotel in Glasgow, which has been used as a men's homeless hostel for decades, is to be shut down.
The notorious Bellgrove hotel in Glasgow, which has been used as a men's homeless hostel for decades, is to be shut down.
The Gallowgate building has been bought by the council after years of concerns and complaints about the conditions and treatment of the vulnerable men who live there.
The 50 residents will be given new homes and support.
The site of the hotel will be developed as part of the ongoing work of the Gallowgate Transformational Regeneration Area with the 50 residents supported into a better future and offered the chance to move into Glasgow Housing Association homes.
The B-listed Bellgrove Hotel was originally built in the 1930s to provide accommodation for working men. In more recent years it became a hostel.
Patrick Flynn, Director of City Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “The acquisition of the Bellgrove Hotel by the council and our Transforming Communities: Glasgow partners will both allow the regeneration of the Gallowgate and pave the way for the hostel’s residents to move to their own homes and receive the support they need. This is a major step forward in the transformation of an East End neighbourhood, and we can look forward to the local community continuing to play a key role of the development of the area in which they live.”
Bernadette Hewitt, GHA Chair and TC:G Board Member, said: “All of the residents at Bellgrove will be offered the chance of a GHA home or alternative accommodation to meet their needs with support in place to help them settle. At GHA and across Wheatley, we share the vision that everyone should be able, with support, to lead independent lives in their own home and this is very much part of that.
“Wheatley Care will now provide care and support to the residents while helping them move into a new home that fully meets their needs. We’ll work closely with the residents, Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership, and other partners.
“GHA has already built over 200 fantastic new homes in Gallowgate and demolished the old Whitevale and Bluevale multi-storey blocks. The Bellgrove unlocks the potential for us not only to improve the lives of the people currently living in the hostel but also to continue the transformation of the community with a further phase of new affordable housing for local people.”
Pat Togher, Assistant Chief Officer, Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “We do not use the Bellgrove Hotel as a means of accommodating people who are homeless, however we welcome the opportunity to work closely with residents of the hotel and the Wheatley Group in seeking more permanent accommodation and providing the necessary support for those experiencing complex needs.
"Glasgow HSCP is familiar with decommissioning arrangements such as the one proposed and will deploy our skilled and experienced workforce ensuring that existing residents transition to more suitable, settled and where necessary supported accommodation ahead of the closure. This is an excellent opportunity to improve the lives of those residing in the Bellgrove and we look forward to working with everyone involved.”