High-rise flats set to keep their all-night concierges


Glasgow Housing Association hoped to pilot controversial reforms to its concierge service at three tower blocks in Anderston's Blythswood Court.But the proposal to replace on-site janitors with a 24-hour telephone hotline sparked uproar among tenants who feared their homes would be invaded by "undesirables".And today, GHA confirmed Blythswood Court would not be part of a pilot programme across Glasgow to reform concierge services. Anderston councillor Alex Mosson helped bring all-night concierges to Blythswood Court 14 years ago and he led the campaign to stop them being taken away. Mr Mosson welcomed the GHA's U-turn, but added: "This is only a battle. I want to win the war." Argyle Local Housing Organisation, the body which represents Blythswood Court tenants, has pulled out of the pilot.

A spokeswoman for GHA denied this was because of Mr Mosson's concerns about the red light district. She said the LHO simply felt the blocks were too far from the proposed call centre. Many residents in Blythswood Court are elderly and some chose to live in the blocks because they have all-night security. Mr Mosson, a former Lord Provost, said: "People feel much more secure when they know there is a concierge on site." The GHA wants to introduce a call-out service which will mean all high-rise residents have access to some kind of help at night.

At present, only some blocks have concierges on site at night. A consultation on GHA's proposals will end later this month before three areas -Sighthill, Pollokshaws and Knightswood - try out on-call concierge services.

Meanwhile, Mr Mosson has written to Michael Lennon, chief executive of Glasgow Housing Association, warning him many Labour councillors would have opposed the housing stock transfer had they known of the reforms. He said: "I am certain that if my colleagues on the council had realised this would happen, perhaps a different attitude would have prevailed regarding the transfer. "The spirit, in principle and intention, was to ensure the quality of life remained for tenants and owner occupiers alike. This does not now seem to be the case."