PLANS have been drawn up to turn an empty Glasgow City Centre shop into a one-stop facility providing multi-agency help to vulnerable people.

A change-of-use application for ground-floor premises at an office building at 389 Argyle Street has been submitted to planning officials.

If approved, the ‘health, well-being and home hub’ would be operated by Simon Community Scotland, the lead partner representing the City Ambition Network which is made up of Glasgow Health and Social Care partnership, Glasgow City Mission, Turning Point Scotland and the Marie Trust.

A supporting document states: “The integrated joint board of the Health and Social Care partnership has formally identified the development of a multi-agency hub as a strategic priority and the partnership have identified the property at 389 Argyle Street as a suitable location.”

It would be a one-stop facility offering a range of advice and support services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Services provided would be aimed at helping vulnerable people improve their circumstances in relation to physical and mental health, income and debt, employability, housing, managing a tenancy, and education and training.

An NHS-operated clinic would provide treatment and prevention services. There would also be dental and oral health improvement sessions.
Legal and benefits advice would be available and there would be computer and internet access. Police Scotland would run a hate crime reporting centre. There would be immediate crisis intervention and access to basic needs. A veterinary clinic would also be run.

The document continues: “The proposed development will operate as both a drop-in facility and appointment-based service. In all circumstances there will be a reason and an outcome for attendance, which will be time-limited.

“It will not operate as a day centre, shelter or cafe. there is no intention to provide food, a needle exchange, food bank or overnight shelter. These services are provided elsewhere in other facilities operated by the applicant.”

“The location of the property is considered appropriate for this type of use as it is in a highly accessible location in Glasgow City Centre and in an area characterised by office use during daytime hours.

“It will add to the multi-functional role of the city centre and provide a facility which aims to tackle inequality and improve the quality of life for its users.”

Opening hours would be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday/Sunday, 10am to 6pm. There would be occasional invitation-only recreational, leisure or learning evening activity between 5 and 10pm.

Four permanent staff would manage the centre, support by 12 volunteers on any given day.

The site was most recently used as a bridal wear and kilt shop.