Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project
Revitalising the Forth and Clyde Canal
Whitehouse Bar, Maryhill
Exciting plans emerging for vacant historic building
Glasgow Canal Partnership is looking at ideas for bringing a redundant public bar back into use – but not as a bar!
A public house has occupied the site at Maryhill Road since before the Forth & Clyde Canal was completed in 1790. It would originally have served construction workers and those working on the nearby coal wharf. It became known as the Whitehouse when it was painted white and became a local landmark. The Whitehouse is one of the few historic canal-related buildings left in Maryhill – and some suggest it might even be the oldest.
The Canal Partnership – comprising Glasgow City Council, British Waterways and Isis Waterside Development Ltd – is developing plans to regenerate the Glasgow Branch of the canal through new development on vacant and derelict sites. The Whitehouse Bar project arose out of community consultation on masterplanning proposals for Maryhill Locks and the Botany. It was pointed out by local people that the building was derelict and graffiti-covered and was a missed opportunity for canal-related activities.
The Canal Partnership’s response was to:
- Take a zero tolerance approach to graffiti by regularly re-painting the building;
- Tidy and improve the surrounding landscaping;
- Involve local young people and other community groups in a feature lighting project called PULSE (now up and running);
- Examine the building’s potential for new uses;
- Set up a Reference Group of local people to consider the ideas coming forward and guide the project;
- Consult with the local community and representatives of local and canal-related organisations on preferred uses.
Ideas emerging so far include cycle and canoe hire; becoming a starting point for heritage trails and nature walks along the canal; a base for a Canal Community Liaison Officer; a resource space for canal related and educational activities, for families, young people and the community; an exhibition space promoting the canal its history and wildlife; meeting spaces for local groups; and an information centre for the Canal Regeneration Project.
Help put the Whitehouse back on the map and support the project by contributing your ideas or your preferences for the building:
- Call into Maryhill Library during July to see what ideas are being developed and pick up a questionnaire; or
- Download a questionnaire, complete it and email it to donna.brooks@drs.glasgow.gov.uk or send it by post to Donna Brooks, Land and Property Development, Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council, 229 George Street, Glasgow G1 1QU.
The consultation period will last until 31 July 2008 then the most popular elements will be worked up into a more detailed design and costed so that funding applications can be made.