THE city has spoken of its shock at the potential closure of two of the city’s most celebrated buildings.

As revealed exclusively in the Evening Times yesterday, the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are set to close indefinitely after racking up an estimated £7 million repair bill for the Victorian glasshouse.

The Winter Gardens repairs would see both buildings closed, but city chiefs say they are working to avoid closing the People’s Palace –if they can. If this cannot be achieved the two attractions will close indefinitely at the end of the year.

Concerns over a potential dip tourism in the east of the city, as well as the loss of a family-friendly site to visit, have been raised by locals, with members of the public making a passionate plea for the cash to be stumped up to prevent the closure.

Kevin Callaghan, 54, says that in the grand scheme of spending – £7m is not excessive.

The Gorbals man said: “They can spend money on other buildings. A tremendous amount of people come to the People’s Palace, it is well worth the money, £7m isn’t a lot.

“This is a working class asset, the social fabric of Glasgow has always been accessible within those walls, and I’m horrified at the thought of it closing. You wouldn’t get this type of social history anywhere else in the city.

“The building is a beautiful place, it really is a palace. The mind boggles as to how anyone let it get into such disrepair. It’ll be sadly missed.”

Others also called for funding to be put aside to help with renovations, as has happened to save some of Glasgow’s other buildings.

Retiree Craig Russell, 58, added: “This is absolutely terrible news. This is an iconic building within Glasgow, anyone who comes here will visit.

“I hope it doesn’t come to it closing, in today’s money that is too much cash.

“We’re already spending to save the Art School again, so that’s multiple millions. The Palace isn’t any less precious.”

Glaswegian student Sarah Barker, 26, added: “I’m totally shocked, the People’s Palace is iconic to Glasgow. This is very sad.

“Many people might say that it is not worth the funding that would be needed, but I think it still looks great. If it is really important to the city and people, then it needs to be done.”

With the October week in full swing, the People’s Palace and Winter Garden were alive with visitors yesterday afternoon.

But with the looming threat of closure, some parents visiting turned their attention to the lack of free facilities for families in the city.

Stay-at-home mum Jackie Craig, 27, said: “This will definitely be a loss.

It’s a nice place to go with the kids that is free, there aren’t many places likes that.

“I’m sad about anywhere closing, but this is somewhere that parents will miss. Lots of things cost dearly now, they are all money, money money, but here kids can have fun and there is lots to learn. Where will we go now?”

The news did not come as a huge surprise to some who had visited the glasshouse and Palace this week. 

Molly Baird, 21, said: “I can see why it needs renovation, it does look a bit tired in places. 

“It was a bit underwhelming today and not being from the city I don’t have that same connection with it. 

“If this was in the west end then it wouldn’t have been allowed to get like this. But hopefully restoring it could make those improvements.” 

Tom Watson, a student in the west of the city, added that other buildings such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery never seem to be wanting. 

The 20-year-old said: “Any time you go to the Kelvingrove it looks great and up-to-date. 

“The People’s Palace is a city landmark and should be funded, no question. If we were standing in the west end there would be no hesitation.”

As a venue, the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are integral to large-scale events at Glasgow Green, as well as providing a space for weddings and conferences. 

The importance of the landmark to the people and businesses of the east end was echoed by 18-year-old college student Claire Carey, who lives locally. 

She said: “There is plenty to do in the west of Glasgow, but if this closes, the east will be struggling. Things obviously need done to repair it, but it’s worth paying for. 

“People here need things to do as well, and we could see businesses suffer.”