Sale of former CCA building 'preferred' as Creative Scotland opens bidding process

Creative Scotland has said it is looking for a "more appropriate organisation" to operate the former CCA building in Glasgow as it opened the bidding process for the Sauchiehall site - saying “ownership” of the site was preferred over “operation via lease”.

The government agency, which has owned the property for more than 50 years since it was acquired by what was then known as the Scottish Arts Council in the 1970s, said its "core remit, strategy and expertise" does not include "the ownership or operation of buildings or other major assets of this type".

The CCA fell into the hands of liquidators in February, with the building immediately shut down and all staff laid off.

It emerged last month that the building, at 250 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, attracted 13 expressions of interest from cultural groups hoping to repurpose the venue. Creative Scotland has said it would consider leasing, selling of “transferring ownership” of the building. It had previously charged the CCA a peppercorn rent of £1 a year.

Campaign groups have previously warned the “unique” building should remain in public hands, saying arts organisations would not be able to bid competitively for a lease if it became privately owned.

In documents marketed by property firm Graham + Sibbald, Creative Scotland said it invited more detailed proposals for the site. It said proposals should set out a “cultural vision” for the building, and any benefits to the arts sector and the public, as well as the organisation’s business and operating model, including “governance, leadership, skills and experience”. It also said it requires proof of financial and environmental sustainability and any risk factors linked to proposal.

It added: “Please note: proposals for ownership and operation will be preferred over proposals for operation via lease.”

The documents describe the property, which was previously home to a range of arts organisations, as well as being used as a venue for events and workshops, as a “Category A listed Alexander ‘Greek’ Thompson three storey blond sandstone building”.

The former Centre for Contemporary Arts. Pic: John Devlin | John Devlin / The Scotsman

It added: “Situated within the Central Conservation Area and extensively refurbished in recent years, the property currently comprises a variety of spaces including, a theatre, cinema, exhibition space, bar area, offices and a central courtyard.”

In the bid guidance document submitted with the schedule for the property, Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland, as owners of the building at 350 Sauchiehall Street, wishes to transfer ownership, sell or agree an operator to lease the building to ensure it can have a vibrant and viable cultural future. The reason for this is that Creative Scotland’s focus is on developing and supporting artists, creative practitioners, organisations and public programmes across Scotland.

“Our core remit, strategy and expertise does not include the ownership or operation of buildings or other major assets of this type. As a result, Creative Scotland has invited options for a more appropriate organisation which can take the building and its cultural use forward, and we are pleased to have received 13 expressions of interest from cultural organisations or consortia in that regard.”

Speaking to MSPs at Holyrood's culture committee days after the collapse, Creative Scotland's chief executive Iain Munro said the organisation was committed to enabling the "re-emergence" of an arts centre on the site.

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Proposals are to be submitted to Graham + Sibbald by 5pm on 30 October.