'We want in': Desperate Pavilion boss stages public protest as he hits out at council after fire

Poster slots on the side of the building, normally reserved for promoting shows, contain slogans including ‘we want in’ and ‘they are not demolishing us’ as Iain Gordon continues his fight to get access to the iconic city venue.

The Evening Times understands that Iain was given access to the 114-year-old Class A-listed building on Friday afternoon to turn off heaters which had been burning constantly for several weeks.

It is understood that the access he was given was risk assessed.

But Iain, above, has hit out and claims that the council are being obstructive over his access to the Renfield Street theatre.

He said: “The council are being so obstructive and they won’t let us into the premises at all. When we try to get access we are told no.

“We managed to get access on Friday but those who gave us access were really very aggressive, and it was a get in and get out situation.”

Ian and his staff had to flea the building last month when a fire started in the nearby Victoria’s Nightclub.

At the height of the blaze more than 120 firefighters were at the scene on Sauchiehall Street, tackling flames.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was one of the biggest incidents it has had to deal with while surveyors said the building had to come down on safety grounds with parts of the structure unstable.

That process has forced the closure of the nearby Pavilion Theatre which is only separated from the fire-hit building by Renfield Lane.

Iain said: “I fully appreciate that the back wall of that building is in a dangerous condition.

“We left fires and lights on because the (Victoria’s Nightclub) fire was so quick and we had to get out that day.

“So those items were burning for three weeks, 24 hours a day. Even the manufacturers say you should not leave these things on unattended. We raised the questions, can we get in and get these things off?”

Iain was given access to carry out that task but he decided to host a public protest after becoming increasingly frustrated over the situation.

He said: “The problem with buildings like the Pavilion is as soon as it left for a period of time, people think it is shut.

“I have been asked if the building is getting demolished? We have also had comments like that online.

“So we have to keep up the PR for the building otherwise people will forget.”

He added: “If we leave it too long and we don’t get open by September/October time it really harms the pantomime because people have that mental image of the Pavilion and think it’s shut so go elsewhere. I can’t allow that to happen.”

Iain also wants Glasgow City Council to give him access so he can test the condition of the carpet and seats. He says that he wants to see if they have been damaged by the smoke so that new orders can be placed. But without access, he could be waiting for weeks for orders to come through if he doesn’t know now.

He said: “I want to get to one seat, go to the manufacturers and say strip that down.

“If there is smoke in the foam, we can’t clean and I would need to order 1449 seats. If I can do that now, it gets me ready for when it opens.”

He added: “It is just going on and on. It is a listed building and it should be protected at all costs. We have had little communication from the council.

“I really want answers now! How long is it going to take before we get access to the theatre?”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The first priority in cases such as the demolition of buildings as a result of the recent major fire in Sauchiehall Street is - and must be - public safety.

“It should be noted that this is a very complex demolition because of the precarious and interconnected nature of the buildings, which are being taken down brick by brick.

“As a result, it is impossible at this stage to give any likely date as to when it would be safe to enter buildings affected by the fire and/or demolition.

“When we are in a position to make such a decision, we will immediately inform the businesses involved.”