About GAS
Glasgow Autonomous Space was established in 2016, taking on the lease of a cavernous warehouse in Tradeston. Over many years, the space was transformed by hundreds of people into a multifunctional social centre including a library, herbal clinic dispensary, kitchen, wood workshop, print workshop, meeting and event space, toilets plus a garden with greenhouse and a shed. GAS Tradeston was built, maintained and run by many established groups including Unity World Cafe, Rattle Library, Slaghammers, Language Exchange, Ensemble On Peut Fitness Collective, Herbal Unity, Spite House, Vegan People’s Kitchen.
The space was cold and damp, expensive to run and tricky to look after. Despite years of neglect, in 2022 the landlord decided to double the rent.
Emergency fundraisers were held to save GAS Tradeston, but sadly the community was eventually shut out of the space.
The space was cold and damp, expensive to run and tricky to look after. Despite years of neglect, in 2022 the landlord decided to double the rent.
Emergency fundraisers were held to save GAS Tradeston, but sadly the community was eventually shut out of the space.
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In 2023, GAS was awarded a grant which made finding a new space possible. We looked for somewhere warm, accessible, well-lit and within walking distance of the communities who use GAS.
In 2024, a lease with the Govanhill Community Development Trust for a unit at Victoria Court Workspace was secured.
Govanhill Community Development Trust (GCDT) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Govanhill Housing Association and was established by local people in 1991 to develop physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration initiatives additional to the mainstream housing development programmes in the Govanhill area.
Set up in 1974, Govanhill Housing Association is owned and controlled by the community. They manage more than 2,600 homes for social rent and provide a factoring service to a further 1,500 owners. The subsidiary Govanhill Community Development Trust, supports their community development and regeneration work.
GAS got the keys in April 2024 and have since decked it out with murals by local artists Lindsay Jean Grime and Eddy Phillips, a new kitchen installed by our neighbours TopDrawer CIC, storage and library built by Em Elliot Walker and Parav Carpentry (https://www.instagram.com/paravglasgow/)and salvaged bits and bobs from old GAS given a new life.
We have a warm, bright, cosy ground floor space split into two main rooms, the larger of which has a double door opening onto the secure car park and a carpeted mezzanine space with a library. We have an accessible toilet, kitchen and plenty of chairs and tables. This is a space for gathering to cook and eat community meals, organise, fundraise, make banners, host workshops, hold meetings, watch films and build power to resist oppression together.
The space is used regularly by core groups, and is available for hire (for free or by donation) to groups and individuals organising for justice and against capitalism and its impacts.
We are currently restructuring and revisiting our values, agreements and systems.
You can read the current iteration of our Values Statement here.
If you'd like to help with this process, please get in touch [email protected].
FAQs
What are the opening hours?
How do I get in touch with GAS?
Are there gender neutral accessible toilets I can use?
Are dogs allowed?
- GAS is only open for specific events and does not have regular opening hours. Check the calendar for more details of events and follow our social media accounts for upcoming events.
How do I get in touch with GAS?
- Email [email protected] for all bookings and enquiries.
- Please do not contact individual crew members to book events or ask questions about GAS as decisions are dealt with collectively.
Are there gender neutral accessible toilets I can use?
- Yes.
Are dogs allowed?
- Guide dogs and service dogs are always welcome. Companion dogs are only allowed in the space if all users are comfortable with dogs. Please check with everyone in the space how they feel about dogs before you bring yours in and always keep it on a lead.
GAS Structure
Who works at GAS?
How is GAS run?
How can I get involved in running GAS?
How is GAS Funded?
Can GAS help me fundraise for my cause?
- Nobody is paid to work at GAS in any capacity apart from particularly skilled or legal trade requirements, such as the electrician and the people who dispose of our rubbish. We cover expenses of performers at our fundraisers.
How is GAS run?
- GAS is run by a ‘crew’ of people. The following roles are split amongst the crew: buildings and utilities (the jannies), bookings, finance, funding, fundraisers, social media, intersectionality, and safer spaces. We communicate via Signal and WhatsApp.
How can I get involved in running GAS?
- If you would like to join the crew please come along to an open event or session, introduce yourself and let someone know you are interested in joining the crew. You can also drop us an email at [email protected]
How is GAS Funded?
- GAS is funded donations from individuals, either at events, one-offs, or regularly via the links on the Support Us page. We have also received grants from funding bodies.
Can GAS help me fundraise for my cause?
- GAS may be able to provide space for you to run a fundraiser but we cannot provide money for projects or collectives.