Bold claim: The Vogue cinema in Possilpark has dodged demolition, but its future remains dangerously uncertain—and the whole story is far from over.
A once-grand Glasgow venue, dating back to 1933, was saved from being torn down only after a spirited community fight. The turning point came last summer when officials halted demolition because the remaining structure is deemed to have "special architectural and historic interest." That assessment is not common in Possilpark, according to DJ and campaigner Andrew Moore, who championed the cause.
In July, The Vogue earned a category C listing on appeal, which means any changes to the building require government authorization. Yet despite this legal shield, the building sits derelict—roofless and with no concrete restoration plan in sight.
Originally known as The Mecca, the cinema reflected a bustling working-class hub in its early years. It later operated as The Vogue for decades before being repurposed as a bingo hall and later a kilt hire shop. Designed by the renowned architect James McKissack—also linked to Glasgow Film Theatre—the venue’s decline mirrors shifts in the surrounding neighborhood.
Two years ago, Allied Vehicles, the current owners, obtained a demolition warrant and had already removed the roof when the council issued a preservation notice. Historic Environment Scotland then classified the building as category C, underscoring its rarity as a 1930s cinema and its cultural and social value.
An appeal to the listing sparked a local campaign led by Moore, who grew up in Possilpark and now works as a DJ in Berlin. He was in Glasgow for his birthday when he learned of The Vogue’s ongoing fate.
“People were upset about it, but nothing happened at the time,” Moore recalls. “So I started a petition.” Organizing the campaign felt like a full-time job, he says. He mobilized neighbors, leveraged social media, and distributed information as widely as possible. The effort was relentless.
For Moore, The Vogue isn’t just a building; it’s a landmark that chronicles Glasgow’s past and deserves a place in its future. “People used to go there all the time,” he notes. “It’s deeply human, tied to countless memories. It could become a kids’ space, a community hub, or a facility that gives back. Even if the building’s use changes, preserving it would stand as a testament to what we achieved.”
Photographs show a side view of the art-deco structure with tall central windows framed by reddish-brown stone, while ground-floor entrances remain shuttered and the roof’s metal framework is visible. The Vogue has remained open in its long history since 1933.
Moore describes his childhood visits to The Vogue as family memories, with stories passed down by his mother about her grandparents bringing her there. Losing The Vogue, he says, would feel like losing a part of his own roots.
The fight to protect The Vogue is now largely settled, but there is no plan for restoration. Allied Vehicles cannot alter the building without permission, leaving the site’s future up in the air. Public opinion in Possilpark is mixed.
Some residents urge renewed investment to revive the site for the community. Ann, who grew up nearby, hopes for something that serves children and older residents alike and believes fresh investment could lift the whole area. Others view the building as an eyesore and question what might be done with it if any plan emerges.
John, a local resident, suggests a pragmatic path: preserve the façade—the building’s iconic face—while repurposing the interior for a new use. He argues that the Vogue has been the community’s heartbeat for decades, and someone will surely envision a suitable future.
Urban Realm editor John Glenday thinks the structure could work as a mixed-use commercial site, with urgent stabilisation to protect the façade. He emphasizes that the costs to restore versus demolish are both substantial, and the decision should balance long-term heritage value with practical needs. His central message: don’t leave the site to decay; a measured, protective intervention now can prevent a costly loss later.
BBC Scotland News reached out to Allied Vehicles for comment.
Would you prefer the Vogue to become a dedicated cultural venue, a mixed-use development that respects its heritage, or something else entirely? How should communities balance preservation with modern needs when iconic local landmarks face uncertain futures?
