PROTESTERS today staged a demonstraion outside the newly opened Burrell Collection as it welcomed back the public for the first time.
The museum underwent a £69million revamp and was closed for almost six years and today was the first time it reopened to the public.
However, Glasgow Against Closures today held a protest to highlight what they say is the lack of funding for local essential services and venues in Glasgow whilst £69 million was found to open the Burrell collection, which they described as a tourist attraction, in Glasgow.
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A spokesman for the group said: "Whilst Glasgow Against Closures is delighted to see Glasgow life and Glasgow City Council investing in the Burrell collection the people of Glasgow are angered that other museums and cultural assets are threatened with closure."
He added: "No other cultural asset such as the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, St Mungo’s Museum and Provand’s Lordship has an investment plan for its future and guarantee of secure funding.
"There are still over 50 essential community venues closed within Glasgow since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic spring 2020. To date no re-opening dates have been announced which leaves communities with a devastating lack of facilities to deliver essential local services."
The groups claims 26 communities in Glasgow have been abandoned with the closure of their community centre/hall.
"One typical example is the loss of Ruchill Community centre which has devastated the local area with no indoor community space available with services being delivered outside in the local park which is totally unacceptable," the spokeman added.
Read more: First look inside Glasgow's Burrell Collection after £69m revamp
The A-listed home of The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park is now a modern, greener museum that will show more of the Collection to visitors and give access to over a third more of the building.
Sir William Burrell devoted more than 75 years of his life to amassing, along with his wife, Constance, Lady Burrell, one of the world’s greatest personal art collections, renowned for its quality of Chinese art, exquisite stained glass and intricate tapestries, as well as its breadth of fine art.
Nearly half of the funding for the £68.25 million project was committed by Glasgow City Council with more than a quarter coming from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and significant donations from The Scottish Government, the UK Government, and from many generous trusts and private donors.
The opening of The Burrell Collection in 1983 was one of the first demonstrations of Glasgow’s commitment to cultural-led regeneration. By harnessing the power of its incredible cultural draw, Glasgow has positioned itself as one of the world’s great cultural and creative cities.
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."
He said 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.
He added: “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.”
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