VACANT buildings in a number of city parks are being brought back to life.

They include former public toilets, a changing pavilion and a park ranger station.

The city council decided last year to return underused, unused or derelict buildings to more positive use and to date, 10 have been identified.

Following a successful open market operation, BeanYet was granted a 15-year lease to operate former public toilets in Kelvingrove Park at Eldon Street as a coffee shop.

The firm is a social enterprise which will provide employment and training for long term unemployed adults and free mobility scooters to widen access to the park.

Planning permission has been granted, work has started and it is hoped the coffee shop will open in summer this year.

A 15-year lease for the Linn Equestrian Centre was granted to New Ark in September last year.

It plans to reopen the former riding school which will provide opportunities for disabled adults and children.

Work is underway to renovate the centre and it is anticipated it will be in operation before summer.

The task of repairing and refurbishing the former tennis pavilion in Newlands Park started last month.

The new tenants plan to open a combined coffee shop and teaching bakery by late spring or early summer.

An offer was accepted to convert the former public toilets on Pollokshaws Road into a second hand book and music shop.

However the plan is on hold until the Shawlands Town Centre Action Plan has been agreed.

Negotiations were under way with a company planning to use the underground public toilets on St Vincent Place as a left luggage store but are presently on hold.

The former park ranger station at Glasgow Green was withdrawn from the market to accommodate a base for cycle training which is being funded by Cycling Scotland.

An offer for the lease of the former public toilets at Cathedral Square is currently being considered.

The red blaes courts at Victoria Park were also marketed and two plans to improve the area were received from community organisations.

A third option has emerged and public consultation is underway to explore what local people want for the site.

It is expected a final report will be put before councillors later this year.

Discussions are also ongoing with possible partners which involve the refurbishment of Tollcross Winter Gardens and the creation of sports facilities at Glenconner Park.

Alistair Watson, the city council sustainability and transport spokesman, said: "We have been looking at a number of vacant buildings in our parks for some time.

"Ultimately, we want them to play a positive role in, and enhance people's enjoyment of, our parks.

"There are real social benefits to be gained and I am delighted with the progress being made at a number of sites.

"The building in Kelvingrove Park will bring significant social and community benefits."