It's one of Glasgow's historical gems, but for the past five years has lain closed after being badly damaged during storms.

However, now a retired investment banker is hoping to raise £1.6million to save Glasgow landmark Tollcross Park's Winter Gardens from the bulldozers.

In the winter of 2011, the Winter Gardens glasshouse was badly damaged in storms and despite plans to showcase it at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it never happened.

The city council does not have the cash to carry out the necessary repairs and the structure, which is currently on the Buildings at Risk register, has been kept under wraps ever since.

Read more: Work starts on building new state of the art hospice for Glasgow

Mark Fiddy read in the Evening Times about a petition with 2700 names calling on the building to be restored and decided to try and save the popular visitor attraction for future generations.

He has now met with a council official about the possibility of setting up a charitable trust to raise the necessary cash to have the building fully repaired.

Mr Fiddy said: “If we as a city really want to retain his beautiful glasshouse then we can, but only if we take it on ourselves.

“ I had a meeting with the city council and they have said they would happily work with us if I could form a group to take on the project.

“I have spoken to Scottish National Heritage and am considering crowd funding and we think we can raise the money to do the refurbishment and give the building a viable future.”

One the work is done, Mr Fiddy is hoping it will be returned to its original use which was producing, displaying and selling exotic plants.

He then plans to set up the Tollcross International Flower Festival which would be linked to the International Rose Trials which are held in the park each year.

Mr Fiddy said: “There is also an opportunity to do something exciting with new technology and I have had initial discussions with a company who makes photovoltaic glass so we could turn the structure into a mini power station.”

Read more: Work starts on building new state of the art hospice for Glasgow

It was previously thought it would cost £800,000 to repair the Winter Gardens but he is hoping to raise double that amount.

Mr Fiddy said: “I have worked in the investment banking industry for 30 years and have contacts.

“I am not under any illusions and know this will not happen quickly or easily and will take a team of volunteers and a considerable amount of time but it will be worth it because it is such a beautiful building.

“I have a passion for old buildings and far too many in Glasgow have been lost so I would like to do something about it.

“Without some action I don’t think the council would do anything other than take the Winter Gardens down as it would cost too much money to do anything else.”

He is asking anyone who wants to be a member of the trust to contact him at markjfiddy@outlook.com

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the strong feelings held by local people on the current condition of Tollcross Winter Gardens and have for some time now been looking at finding a sustainable end use for the structure.

“Our parks and environment manager met with Mr Fiddy and had a productive discussion.

“We would love to see the Winter Gardens back in use, however the council is facing unprecedented financial pressures.

“Therefore, there are no easy solutions and a sound business case needs to be found before the work of refurbishing the structure can be considered.”

The Tollcross conservatories were originally erected in 1870 at Redholm in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire. Baillie A.G. MacDonald, of Redholm gifted, them to the Glasgow Corporation in 1898 as a gesture to commemorate his inks with the area.

Read more: Work starts on building new state of the art hospice for Glasgow

They were careful dismantled and re-erected at their present-day site. The cast-iron Victorian conservatory, is a B-Listed structure.

It is Latin-cross shaped in layout, has two semicircular ends and is crowned with a dome. The scrolled cast iron buttresses are a notable feature.

The Winter Gardens underwent a £1.9million refurbishment, funded by the council in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland, between 1998 and 2000.

This included surrounding works such as car-parking and lighting.

The gardens reopened in November 2000 after being closed for 14 years.