Stepping out of Glasgow Central Station onto the gum-splattered pavement of Union Street is a visceral experience. Blue lights, blue rubber gloves and hi-vis vests are banal, lost in the monotony. Last night the stretch of pavement outside of the Caledonian Chambers hotel must have been cordoned off, strands of tape dangle from the bordering vacant units. The homeless hotel looks onto the scaffolding that has encased the front of the Egyptian Halls for 15 years. The building wrap has disappeared since I was last here. I feel like a peeping tom staring into the naked braces.

This week, the council announced that it would explore forcing the sale of Alexander “Greek” Thomson’s A-listed masterpiece once again. The building should be one of the city centre’s crown jewels, but 30 years of neglect have made it a perpetual eyesore. As I stand looking up at it, the acrid smell of piss burning my nostrils, all I can think is, what would the Scottish Government do if this building was in Edinburgh?

Glasgow City Council and the building’s owner, Derek Souter, have been at loggerheads over the asset for years. The Mexican standoff has been well-reported and both sides are in the wrong. Both sides are clearly in the wrong because the building is still empty, derelict and decaying. But credit where credit is due, a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is the council’s big gun. CPOs are not perfect, but they are really the only power that the council has.

The Egyptian Halls on Union Street, Glasgow (Image: Jamie Simpson) In this case, Mr Souter........

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