GLASGOW City Council is to begin preparatory work on the potential compulsory purchase of the site of the former Talisman pub in Springburn, if a sale can’t agreed with the owners.  

The site at 149 Balgrayhill Road in Springburn has lain derelict for almost 20 years, and is a blight on the neighbourhood, posing a potential danger to the community.

On a number of occasions, the council or their agents (City Property) have entered into negotiations and concluded agreements to sell council-owned land on three sides of the derelict public house to allow the redevelopment of the site by the owner, who also owns the nearby shopping parade.

A condition of these agreements was the demolition and removal of the Talisman, but in each instance, the owner failed to comply and the council withdrew from the agreement.

An action plan for breathing new life into the area was published by the Springburn Regeneration Forum in March 2019.

One of the action points was the need to deal with derelict buildings such as the Talisman, with a specific proposal that the council begin discussions on the property’s future and the consideration of site clearance and ‘meanwhile use’ as greenspace for the community.

As a result, council officers have had discussions with the owner’s agent to acquire, and subsequently demolish, the building. The owner is not inclined to sell and has stated an intention to redevelop the site, and has applied for — and been granted — a demolition warrant.

However, council officers are of the view that, given the site’s history, it would be prudent to pursue its acquisition either by agreement or through a compulsory purchase order. The council has now given authority to continue discussions, and to begin preparatory work on the use of a compulsory purchase order, should this be unsuccessful.

Councillor Ruari Kelly, chair of Glasgow City Council’s contracts and property committee, said: “The condition of this former pub has been a blight on Springburn for too long now, and the demolition of the building and the redevelopment of the site would be a key contribution to the area’s regeneration.

“The council will do everything in its power to make this happen, and community wellbeing will be at the forefront of our decision-making.”