The Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow may have to cancel shows for the next eight months after a fire at the nearby School of Art

An arts centre could face almost a year without being able to host shows after a devastating fire.

The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) may have to clear it schedule for the next eight months after the inferno at the nearby Glasgow School of Art.

The charity and its tenants have been unable to access their building – with the area it is situated in deemed unsafe - since the fire five weeks ago, and have pleaded to be allowed access so they can take out computers and other vital equipment.

In an interview with the Herald, CCA director Francis McKee said that the organisation is unable to get back in to its premises, which will lead to events being cancelled for the foreseeable future and tenants cancelling their leases.

“At a certain point, the businesses will have to think about their future, and the tenants too,” he said.

“We are now looking for a sensible discussion about how we can save this operation and contribute again to the economy of the street.

“The worst case scenario is that we keep losing money, we get back in but we have lost the cafe, the businesses, the tenants and, with the lack of income, we would be back in but not able to operate until next April, simply to stay within budget.”

No timescale has been set for when access to the building could be reinstated, and Glasgow City Council said demolition of parts of the Art School would take at least eight weeks.

A spokesman said: “This remains a complex and dangerous site and, although we are anxious to see residents and businesses return to their premises as soon as possible, that can only happen when it is safe to do so.

“As things stand, the Glasgow School of Art has a major operation under way to take down parts of the building that both we and their contractors agree are unsafe – and this will take at least eight weeks.”