Unions call on funder to halt the sale of defunct arts charity’s venue

Unions are urging funder Creative Scotland to stop its sale of the former site of Centre for Contemporary Arts, which went into insolvency earlier this year.

The call has been made by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and its Creative Industries Group, which includes creative sector unions, in a letter to the grant maker.

They want to ensure the building in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, which is owned by Creative Scotland, remains in public hands.

They also want to see a public consultation opened on the future of the venue.

This follows calls throughout the year from unions for creative workers to be involved in decisions around the site.

“Despite those appeals, no formal route for worker or trade union involvement has been established,” said the unions

They also want Creative Scotland to “publish the evidence behind the process of the sale.”

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said the site “can be a thriving, well-funded and culturally significant site for the whole of Scotland but only if workers are part of that decision making process”.

She added: “We are clear: 350 Sauchiehall Street must remain in public hands, with the workforce that underpins any new ownership of the venue subject to Fair Work terms and conditions that uplift creative workers pay, security and dignity in work.”

Earlier this summer Creative Scotland announced it was looking for expressions of interest from organisations looking to buy or lease the 34,000 square foot site, with a preference that it remains “as an asset for the cultural sector and the public.

“As such, expressions of interest from organisations with an intention of operating the building as a cultural venue, are particularly welcome,” it added.

The deadline for interested organisations passed on 12 August and the unions are urging Creative Scotland to provide more information around who is assessing proposals and the criteria that is being applied.

The property comprises arts spaces including a theatre, cinema, exhibition space, bar area, offices and a central courtyard.