Glasgow's O2 ABC venue could be demolished due to damage, vermin and sewage

Back in 2018, Glasgow's ABC O2 venue was damaged by a fire from the neighbouring Glasgow School of Art. The roof of the C-listed (equivalent of Grade II listed in England and Wales) building completely collapsed, and Historic Environment Scotland wanted to protect the historic building from being completely demolished following the fire.

However, Glasgow Live reports that a new report claims the building has "dramatically deteriorated" following the fire in 2018, and is now overrun with raw sewage and vermin, and is in danger of collapsing.

Another engineering report adds that the temporary structure placed to prop the building up may not survive another winter, and is too dangerous to be replaced.

Historic Environment Scotland were campaigning for the building to be saved from demolition, most notably its front facade, but following the new reports, the group have decided that the building is beyond repair. They explained, "It is clear to us that the likelihood of achieving a scheme of meaningful repair for the whole front elevation is low."

They added, "Weighing the reduced merit of the building in its current condition against the clear requirement to demolish the severely-damaged auditorium... we no longer consider it proportionate to maintain our objection to the application for demolition."