Trongate 103

24/04/2026

TRONGATE 103 - UPDATE

The organisations at Trongate 103 are pleased to report on the latest developments in our campaign. We had a positive meeting yesterday with Bailie Annette Christie, Convener for Culture, following a proposal from Glasgow City Council that set out a clear plan of support and immediate action to address the financial pressures facing Trongate 103 organisations and enable constructive dialogue moving forward.

There are a number of opportunities to explore in the coming months to help shape a long-term, sustainable future for Trongate 103, and we look forward to working in partnership with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life to build a secure future for this vital cultural hub.

Glasgow Print Studio
Street Level Photoworks
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Project Ability
Glasgow Project Room
Transmission

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20/04/2026

We thank the public for its continued support. The strength of the community has been invaluable, and the shared commitment to Glasgow as a City of Culture remains strong.

https://www.change.org/p/save-trongate103-from-closure

19/04/2026

TRONGATE 103 - SERVICE DELIVERY and CULTURAL PROGRAMME

Trongate 103 has long been recognised as a significant part of Glasgow’s cultural infrastructure. The organisations based there have established national and international reputations and collectively deliver a substantial, year-round programme of exhibitions, performances, screenings, education and community engagement. Together they produce a significant volume of high-quality cultural activity that contributes meaningfully to Glasgow’s creative economy, cultural life and international standing as a City of Culture.

All of the Trongate 103 Cultural Organisations are non-profit charities.
Trongate 103 Cultural Organisations are:

Glasgow Print Studio
An internationally respected printmaking centre offering professional studios, exhibitions and artist training.
www.gpsart.co.uk

Street Level Photoworks
Scotland’s leading photography centre, delivering exhibitions, commissions and education programmes. / www.streetlevelphotoworks.org

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
An internationally recognised company presenting unique kinetic sculpture performances to local and international audiences.
www.sharmanka.com

Project Ability
A leading visual arts organisation supporting artists with learning disabilities and diverse support needs, known for inclusive studio practice and exhibitions.
www.project-ability.co.uk

Glasgow Independent Studio / Glasgow Project Room
One of Scotland’s longest-running artist-led studio organisations, supporting contemporary artists through studios and exhibitions.
www.gis.uk.com

Transmission Gallery
A highly influential artist-run gallery supporting generations of emerging artists and curators.
www.transmissiongallery.org

ORGANISATION LOST:

GMAC Film
A national film and digital media charity supporting emerging filmmakers through training, production and community work.
www.gmacfilm.com

https://www.change.org/p/save-trongate103-from-closure

19/04/2026

CHALLENGING TRONGATE 103 MISCONCEPTIONS

Part 2 - Current Economic Model - What it Actually Means

A common narrative frames the situation at Trongate 103 as a standard landlord–tenant dispute. This is misleading.

Trongate 103 is a public facing cultural centre, created to support artistic production, public engagement and the city’s cultural strategy. It is now being operated as a revenue-generating property asset

Key context:
* Established cultural hub – The organisations at T103 were invited into the project due to their long-standing contribution to the regeneration of Trongate and Merchant City, and collectively deliver a year-round public programme.

* Publicly funded cultural infrastructure – Developed in 2006–2009 with funding from Glasgow City Council, National Lottery (via Scottish Arts Council), Scottish Enterprise and Merchant City Heritage Trust, T103 was conceived as “A Home for the Arts.”

* Significant cultural output – The building hosts exhibitions, performances, film, education, community engagement, and artist production facilities, contributing to Glasgow’s cultural life, visitor economy and international reputation.

* Shift to commercial model – Shortly after opening (2009–2010), the building was transferred to City Property (Glasgow) LLP, placing it within a structure designed to generate income and support borrowing through rental streams.

The result:�A fundamental contradiction - a building created to support culture and serve public interest is now expected to operate as a commercial income-generating asset, with cultural organisations bearing that financial burden.

https://www.change.org/p/save-trongate103-from-closure

19/04/2026

CHALLENGING TRONGATE 103 MISCONCEPTIONS

Part 1 - Rent vs Actual Occupancy Cost
£4 rent = £11 real cost per sq ft

One of the ongoing and inaccurate key narratives suggests the current economic model for Trongate 103 is fair and based on an independent study. That study was commissioned by Glasgow City Council and Creative Scotland and was grounded in tenants’ real affordability, however, the current proposal does not reflect its conclusions.

Since the study, the economic framework has shifted significantly. The headline £4 rent figure does not represent the true cost, which rises to approximately £11 per sq ft once service charges are included. The rent represents income in addition to the full cost recovery.

* The study indicated tenants could potentially sustain full service charge recovery without rent.
* It suggested £2 per sq ft as a possible future rent level.
* The current model imposes full service charge recovery + £4 per sq ft rent.
* This was added to the independent review as “GCC Proposal” and presented as the outcome of the modelling study.
* Furthermore, the study relied on outdated running costs (£275k), now closer to £390k - a £115k (50%) increase.
* These revised figures were only disclosed after Notices to Quit were issued (25 Feb 2026).

In July 2025, tenants proposed a phased, affordability-based model. This was not adopted. Instead, the current model has been imposed, resulting in:

* £500K additional annual burden
* £700K annual occupancy cost
* £300K of this as rental income to City Property

Tenants entered interim leases under duress on 1 April 2026 and are awaiting further dialogue with Glasgow City Council following the recent motion and the £200K` Culture and Creative Industry Property Support Fund announcement. While welcome, this alone does not resolve the underlying economic issue.

Figures are approximate, rounded for clarity, and include VAT.

https://www.change.org/p/save-trongate103-from-closure

Glasgow Print Studio
Street Level Photoworks
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Project Ability
Glasgow Project Room
Transmission
GMAC

FAO
Glasgow City Council
Scottish Green Party
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scottish Labour Party
Your Party Scotland

19/04/2026

Latest exhibition from masters of photography is currently running Street Level Photoworks. Do not miss!

One of many things that Trongate 103 has to offer.

19/04/2026

One of the recent music events at Trongate 103 as part of Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre's regular programme of live events programmed by John Cavanagh.

19/04/2026

Unique things produced at Glasgow Print Studio.

One of many things Trongate 103 is brining to the city.

19/04/2026

Next exhibition at Project Ability coming up!

One of many exciting things happening at Trongate 103!

New Exhibition by Christopher Muir ✨

Gallery II at Project Ability
18 April - 23 May
Opening Reception: Saturday 25th April, 1-2.30 pm

Christopher is a talented artist in our Aspire programme. He creates incredibly detailed drawings, filling page after page in his sketchbooks of fantasy worlds. This new collection is a celebration of the fascinating world of Danganronpa, a murder mystery visual novel franchise.

We hope you can make it along to celebrate with Christopher on the 25th.

More information can be found here:
https://www.project-ability.co.uk/exhibitions/christopher-muir/

16/04/2026

Trongate 103 – Latest Update

On 2 April 2026, a motion supporting Trongate 103 was unanimously passed at Glasgow City Council, recognising the building’s value and the need for intervention.

A £200,000 Culture and Creative Industry Property Support Fund has been announced to provide small grants across the city. While positive, it remains unclear how much will reach Trongate 103 despite the urgency.

The Council has committed to further discussions with tenants, but no timeframe has been set and the situation remains critical.

New temporary lease arrangements have introduced significantly higher rent and service charges, with occupancy costs rising by an estimated 400%. Over the next year, this amounts to approximately extra £500,000 for organisations (non-profit charities) in the building.

The impact is already evident. Two organisations are developing exit strategies due to unaffordability, putting the wider cultural hub at risk.

All organisations are experiencing rapid resource decline, leading to operational cuts.

While the Council’s support is welcome, the immediate risk to Trongate 103 remains unresolved. Without timely action, Glasgow risks losing a vital part of its cultural infrastructure.

We thank the public for its continued support. The strength of the community has been invaluable, and the shared commitment to Glasgow as a City of Culture remains strong.

https://www.change.org/p/save-trongate103-from-closure

Glasgow City Council
Scottish Green Party
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scottish Labour Party
Your Party Scotland

Glasgow Print Studio
Street Level Photoworks
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Project Ability
Glasgow Project Room
Zwgoogleads Linh
GMAC