New Glasgow Society celebrates 60 years of people power

The inclusive civic society bridging the gap between the people and the planners, politicians and developers shaping the city. As Glasgow turns 850, one of its oldest amenity groups celebrates 60 yrs

Pictures by Colin Mearns.

On the outer edge of Finnieston tucked between a letting agent and a new Chinese supermarket is the bright green shopfront of one of the city’s oldest amenity groups. New Glasgow Society has occupied the same unit on Argyle Street since the 1970s. At the time its windows looked out on an industrial centre. Over the decades they watched as industry was chipped away until only the Finnieston crane remained. As lauded restaurants and trendy bars sprung up around it, the gallery and meeting space remained a custodian of the volunteers at the New Glasgow Society (NGS). They turned down repeated offers from developers who wanted to see it transformed into another upscale eatery.

The modest space with its high ceilings and whitewashed walls changes on a near-daily basis. One week a contemporary fashion store, the next a pop-up exhibition or evening talk with fold-out chairs arranged in rows across the room. The NGS mantle appears on interactive walks through a derelict Glasgow, built heritage hustings and debates on the city’s development. But what exactly is it? And why, as it celebrates its 60^th anniversary, is the New Glasgow Society more important than ever?