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Glasgow heritage trusts receive fresh funding for 2025/26

Glasgow heritage trusts receive fresh funding for 2025/26

Glasgow Times21-06-2025
Glasgow City Council has approved a total of £290,000 for the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT) and the Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) for the 2025/26 financial year.
The trusts provide specialist support and financial assistance to individuals and community groups looking to invest in Glasgow's heritage assets and play a central role in the city's newly established Built Heritage Commission.
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Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for built heritage and development at Glasgow City Council, said: "These trusts are key partners for the council and the city in the work done to protect and develop Glasgow's built heritage.
"The funding now approved for the next year will allow them to continue the very valuable work that they do in what can be a challenging environment for heritage buildings – work that is important economically, culturally and preserving our unique built heritage and identity."
The GBPT will receive £50,000 in core funding, while the GCHT will receive £240,000—split between £50,000 in core funding and £190,000 in grant funding.
Established in 1982, the GBPT focuses on redeveloping historic buildings that are not viable for other organisations.
Recent projects include the Kelvingrove Bandstand and the West Boathouse in Glasgow Green.
Over the past year, the trust has explored the potential return of historic janitor's houses as social housing and conducted feasibility studies for sites such as the Lion Chambers, Langside Halls, and the Queens Park Glasshouse.
It also organises the annual Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival, which this year attracted more than 30,000 visitors to 230 events.
The GCHT, established in 2007, offers grants to owners of heritage buildings, supporting both small repairs and large restorations.
To date, the trust has awarded more than 2,170 grants.
Read more: Busy spot in Glasgow city centre to close for over month
In the past year, it supported 20 projects with funding totalling £643,284, unlocking more than £4.4 million in total project investment.
Recent supported projects include repairs to the Bell o' the Brae tenements, the Pyramid building (formerly Anderston Kelvingrove Parish Church), and the A listed landmark tower at Trinity College.
The GCHT runs outreach and training programmes to develop skills in conservation trades, and offers educational resources including exhibitions, lectures, podcasts, and workshops.
Both trusts also receive annual funding from Historic Environment Scotland.
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