Former CCA in Glasgow building attracts 13 expressions of interest from cultural groups

The former building of the defunct Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow has attracted 13 expressions of interest from cultural groups hoping to repurpose the venue, Creative Scotland has said.

The CCA, on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, fell into the hands of liquidators in February, with the building immediately shut down and all staff laid off. It had temporarily closed its doors in September as it worked to secure its long-term future - however, had planned to reopen in March.

A spokesperson for Creative Scotland, which owns the site and charged the CCA a peppercorn rent of £1 a year, said: “We are pleased to report that following an open call, we have received 13 expressions of interest in 350 Sauchiehall Street, the former Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA).

“All expressions of interest are from organisations seeking to run the building as a cultural venue.”

They added: “We will now move to a call for more detailed submissions from interested parties and details of this process will be announced shortly.”

Last month, Scottish musicians including Midge Ure, Lulu, Travis and Del Amitri backed plans to create a rock and roll hall of fame for Scotland to celebrate the country’s “incredible musical heritage”. The project’s leaders described the proposed venue as an “ambitious new cultural destination” celebrating the country’s “extraordinary contribution” to global music.

The Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow.Pic: John Devlin | John Devlin / The Scotsman

Concerns have been raised by campaigners over the proposals and other plans raised as potential uses for the site.

Last week, the Scottish Artists Union submitted a letter to Creative Scotland, asking the organisation to “stop the sale”.

Some equipment from the site has been sold off at auction, however, the archive of the building is still set to be sold, with a bid by Glasgow Life backed by Creative Scotland.

Speaking to MSPs at Holyrood's culture committee days after the collapse, Creative Scotland's chief executive Iain Munro said the organisation was committed to enabling the "re-emergence" of an arts centre on the site.