Occupy Glasgow

Well, it is and it isn't. This is Blythswood Square Gardens, which until recently used to be rather decrepit but well-used, with scrappy bushes and no railings. People used to sit on the grass at lunchtime on days like this and take the opportunity to get out of the office. There was a small sign saying it was privately owned and that users did so at their own risk.

Last year a 5 star hotel opened in the building with a flagpole. The garden got a bit of a makeover and railings went up all the way round. In November some of the Occupy Glasgow people decamped here when they moved from George Square, but after some severe weather they decided to break camp.

I noticed shortly after that that all the gates to the park had been chained up. There is a notice on them saying the garden is owned by the properties on the square, and that it had been open for use by the public but the Occupy protesters had overstepped the mark. It claimed that in the summer it would be open again for people to use. It doesn't look like anyone can find the keys....

I think this is rather mean-spirited, and I can't help feeling the hotel has something to do with this - they almost certainly stumped up the cash for the railings. However, they don't even seem to be using it for their own guests. Maybe they think people sitting on the grass make the place look untidy? I hope they think people sitting on the railings look even more untidy and maybe they'll open it after all.

If I were a member, you'd be able to see this big...