Furniture and clothing charity set to be evicted by council as it can't pay rent
A social enterprise which helps disadvantaged residents is being evicted from its premises because it can’t afford to pay its rent.
The Ruchill Furniture Project has been running for nearly 30 years but faces an uncertain future after the arms-length Glasgow council agency City Property served it an eviction notice for failing to pay its £1,500 a month rent.
Managers at the charity say this is due to a lack of funding for the initiative over the last four years.
Up to 400 vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Glasgow are given furniture and clothing every month from the charity.
It collect unwanted furniture and clothing then redistributes it to those in need across Glasgow.
Chairwoman Eleanor Brown is calling for City Property give her more time to pay rent arrears.
"We are in a predicament. If we don't have a lease we can't apply for funding. We're in a catch 22 position.
"Its £1,500 a month here so if I was to charge for the furniture the amount of rent they are wanting without it being subsidised I could afford it, but people can't pay that and that's not what we do.
Everyone in here is voluntary, they usually are unemployed so they are getting a bit of experience and support here too
"Everyone in here is voluntary, they usually are unemployed so they are getting a bit of experience and support here too.
"We were hoping if we got another unit and help to pay some rent it would give us time to go out to the private sector to apply for during for running costs but unfortunately we haven't.
"I've been in touch with City Property and tried to negotiate. I want them to give us another three weeks to get things sorted and sort out the last orders we have.
"We're not all about selling, it's about helping people with all aspects of their life.
"If they are in rent arrears, if they are due more money and they don't know what to do, we help them."
The initiative also provides advocacy services on dealing with debt, housing problems and benefits queries to clients.
Brown added: "It's a great project and people come here - if we go there are not many places that do what we do.
"We give things out for free, we give 2-3 packages to people who are in the most need.
"People also get a choice to pick what they want, it's not just take it or leave it."
City Property has been asked to comment.
