Proposals to boost parks sought

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Proposals to boost parks sought GLASGOW City Council have called on companies to submit their ideas to develop visitor facilities in parks through out the city, including Kelvingrove and the Botanic Gardens.A proposal was made by the council that a number of documents be published in order to invite ideas for the development of visitor facilities in Glasgow's parks. The documents are to assess the relevance of interest from companies in applying for leases and franchises in such parks as the Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove Park, Queen's Park, Victoria Park, Springburn Park, Tollcross Park, Pollok Country Park, Bellahouston Park and Glasgow Green. In September 2005, a report was approved by the Parks and Facilities Committee, which outlined proposals to improve visitor facilities in parks.

According to the proposal "the documents are intended to outline what is considered to be 'acceptable development' within the context of each specific area." Each document will outline the historic relevance of each park and the customer facilities which would be acceptable within each area. Existing buildings within each of the parks which could be utilised instead of them lying unused will be detailed.

These buildings will be leased by the council rather than sold. In a report by Robert Booth, Director of Land Council seek proposals to attract visitors to city's parks Services, he stated: "the development of visitor and community services would be subject to a positive outcome in community consultation." He went on to write: "It is hoped to stimulate interest in a variety of sectors of the community and facilitate the development of local economic opportunities. Positive discussions have already taken place with Local Development Companies to ascertain the possibilities of social enterprises taking up options to operate in parks." The documents will offer no commitment to contract with any individual proposer or developer.

Source West end Mail