Campaigners opposing the long-term closure of Glasgow Life venues are to hold a protest on the reopening of the Burrell Collection.
Glasgow Against Closures has been voicing concern over the closures of cultural venues including the People's Palace and Winter Gardens and St Mungo's Museums for over two years.
They have accused operators Glasgow Life of failing to secure investment or funding for venues that form a vital part of the city's history.
The group says they are 'delighted' to see the investment in the Burrell Collection, but are angered by the failure to protect other cultural assets.
The A-listed Burrell Collection has undergone a £68.25 million refurbishment which was nearly half contributed by Glasgow City Council, a quarter by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, £5.75m from the Scottish Government and £3m from the UK Government.
The work has included increasing gallery space by 35%, allowing objects from the Collection that haven't been seen for decades or have never been on permanent display, to go on show.
In total 225 displays will spread across 24 galleries.
Elsewhere in the city, the Winter Gardens remain closed after being shut indefinitely in 2018. The glasshouse adjoining People's Palace has a repair bill of £350,000 after survey work found the glass building to be structurally unsafe.
St Mungo's Museum also remains closed due to the financial impact of the pandemic on Glasgow Life finances.
Glasgow Against Closures will be holding a protest in Pollok Park against the ongoing closures on March 29 - when The Burrell Collection will also reopen.
They said: "£69 million was spent on the refurbishment of the Burrell Museum.
"While Glasgow Against Closures is delighted to see Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council investing in the Burrell Collection we are also angered to see all of our other museums and cultural assets threatened with closure.
"No other cultural asset, including the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens or St Mungo’s Museum and Provand’s Lordship, has an investment plan for its future or a guarantee of secure funding. This short-sighted vision is nothing to be proud of.
"We demand the reopening of all our cultural assets."
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Of the £68.25m capital investment for The Burrell Collection, £33m has been funded by Glasgow City Council while Glasgow Life’s charitable status has enabled a very successful fundraising campaign which has raised £8m. The rest of the costs have been met by generous contributions from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Scottish and UK Governments, and reflects funding that would not have been available for projects other than The Burrell.
“From 2016 until 2022, during the period The Burrell Collection has been closed for refurbishment, Glasgow City Council has invested more than £89m in maintaining and upgrading venues and facilities managed by Glasgow Life, and this is over and above the £33m for The Burrell.
“The Council’s 2022/23 budget has also allocated an additional £1.75m to support the reopening of more community venues across the city, as well as St Mungo’s Museum and Provand’s Lordship. At the same time, the Council has committed £2.9m to support the restoration of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens in the next financial year.
“This is positive and welcome news for Glasgow Life and represents a significant commitment to ensuring the people of Glasgow can continue to access our much-needed and highly valued services and venues in their local communities, whilst also ensuring a sustainable future for many of the city’s invaluable heritage assets.”
