…and so the Govanhill Baths Community Trust’s new charity shop at 73 Calder Street was declared open by Elaine C Smith, actress and comedienne.

Around 50 people were at the opening ceremony along with Mohammad Sarwar, Glasgow Central MP and Danny Alderslowe, Southside Central Councillor.

Elaine cut the ribbon and spent a couple of hours behind the counter serving the first 100 customers.

She told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘This is a very important amenity which is very much needed for all the people who live in this area. For the working class communities this has been one of the few victories and we should always remember the people who have brought it this far. This is why I pay tribute to everybody who was involved.’

The ribbon cutting was followed by speeches from Fatima Ugyun of the Trust, MP Sarwar and Councillor Alderslowe.

Fatima said, ‘We are really happy to be opening this shop. It will now take us one step closer to getting the baths re-opened.’

Mr Sarwar commented, ‘I am pleased that the Glasgow City Council has offered the Trust a 99 year lease. I have always been opposed to the closure of the baths and this is why I have also supported the campaign to re-open the building.’

Councillor Alderslowe said, ‘I remember the long and bitter fight to keep the pool. When they closed it, I was devasted. However, it’s really great to see the fight still going strong.’

The first customer was Caroline Moriarty, from Govanhill who bought a pair of scented candles. She said, ‘This shop is a great idea and hopefully it will manage to raise enough money to re-open the baths as a health and wellbeing centre. This is definitely needed in the area and I, for one, would use it.’

The Trust has secured a 99 year lease for the baths from Glasgow City Council. It now has two years to raise £8.5million to transform the building into a Health and Wellbeing Centre. The plan includes swimming baths, cricket nets, dance studios and a gym.

The shop is at 73 Calder Street - near the old Baths - and is open Mon - Sat- from 10am to 4pm. Volunteers are invited drop in or telephone 07779995483.