Damage has closed vital resource temporarily
Heartless vandals have targeted a charity centre, causing serious damage and stealing vital equipment forcing it to close.
Thugs mindlessly attacked the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre, a key gathering point for local groups and events, causing suffered major damage following the spree of theft and vandalism.
They stole essential equipment from the premises located in Glasgow’s Whitevale Street, while cherished community resources were also destroyed, and causing widespread damage totalling thousands of pounds.
Reidvale Housing Association, which owns the centre, has been forced to close it for a short period, while works are undertaken to put right the damage and hand it over to the new centre manager, the Halliday Foundation.
Julie Smillie, interim director at Reidvale Housing Association, said: “Last Friday evening, the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre was heavily vandalised, leaving behind extensive damage and a significant amount of missing equipment.
Given recent notice and the pending departure of the Bluevale Club from the premises, we were concerned that there may be some form of reaction, so we took steps to secure an interdict to prevent unauthorised removal of property from the centre.”
On Friday evening Bluevale staff were observed damaging and disabling the barrier providing access to the car park.
Despite the legal safeguard of the interdict, Reidvale staff found the centre ransacked: pool tables were slashed, CCTV cameras and wiring stripped, items including TVs and computers taken. Even the bar was found dismantled and its equipment removed.
In the days since, the impact on staff has been profound, with some left feeling unsafe about coming into the building on Monday – a situation Smillie described as “completely unacceptable”.
She added: “It is very upsetting to see such wanton destruction. Large parts of the Centre are now unfit for use and the level of damage will take weeks – and thousands of pounds – to repair at a time when money is incredibly tight for a small housing association like us.”
After reopening in November 2023 on the basis of promised funding during a proposed transfer of engagements – funding that never materialised – Reidvale Housing Association and its tenants have been left to shoulder the entire financial burden of running the Centre since then, running to around £150,000 to date.
Earlier this year, the association launched an open Expression of Interest process to secure a long-term operator for the Centre. The process, overseen by an independent third party, invited proposals from organisations able to ensure delivery of a broad range of activities for the benefit of the whole community as well as keeping it financially stable.
Following an assessment, The Halliday Foundation emerged as the strongest candidate. The charity has a proven track record of delivering inclusive programmes, from food provision and mental health support to activities tackling social isolation.
Its proposal included commitments to retain popular activities while introducing new services to broaden the Centre’s appeal and reach.
The Halliday Foundation is due to begin its tenancy in the coming weeks, marking the start of a new era for the Centre. However, the weekend’s destruction means that urgent repairs and renewals must now be carried out.
Despite this setback, the association remains committed to safeguarding the Centre’s future. Plans are already in motion to ensure The Halliday Foundation can operate safely and effectively once the premises are restored.
Smillie said: “Rest assured, our commitment is clear: we will protect this centre and keep it as a safe, thriving hub at the heart of the community – a place local people can be proud of and rely on for years to come.
“We are working closely with the police to establish the full facts and to ensure those responsible for the vandalism are held to account.”
