Repair work on science tower as staff learn of fate

Published on Tuesday 9 July 2002 01:00

WORK finally got under way to repair the troubled Glasgow Tower yesterday, as staff in the adjacent Science Centre began being hearing whether they were out of a job.

Engineers raised the 127m structure by 19mm yesterday as wind eased enough to allow the inspection of a faulty bearing, which had caused the tower to sink.

Loss adjusters were also on hand to assess any insurance claim for the 75 million centre.

However, as many as 30 of the 160 staff at the complex, will find out this week that they have lost their jobs, in the wake of a catalogue of mishaps that have beset the futuristic centre.

The complex made an operating loss of 1.25 million last year, its first, with a further 1.66 million loss expected this year.

Carol Matthews, the centre’s marketing manager, said that staff were being informed of their fate this week.

She said: “Over the last 30 days, we have been involved in the formal redundancy period, which has now finished.

“By the end of the week, everyone will know whether their post is affected or not.”

It is believed that the remaining staff could be forced to accept new working hours and conditions.

The centre was part-funded by the Millennium Commission to the tune of 35 million and last month was shored up by a 2 million package taken from a 7 million endowment fund for new exhibits.

The rescue package was approved by its other key backers, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Scottish Enterprise National and became necessary after visitor numbers in the first year reached 400,000 – more than 200,000 short of predictions.

Since opening last June, the centre has seen its IMAX theatre roof leak, the tower lifts break down, fountains dry up and the revolving tower fail to revolve.

An entertainment licence was also refused after safety fears were raised.

The landmark tower will not reopen to the public until at least September, effectively ruling out any hope of attracting summer visitors.

Ms Matthews added: “The contractors are happy with the way it is going, and an inspection is taking place.”