Eviction threat to pool protesters

The sit-in protest has lasted 111 days

Sheriff's officers have served three charges for eviction on protesters occupying a swimming pool in Glasgow.

The demonstrators at Govanhill pool have been staging a sit-in protest for 111 days against the city council's decision to close the baths.

They have been given 48 hours to leave or be ejected.

But Nicola Fisher, a spokesperson for Southside Against Closure, said campaigners had no intention of ending the sit-in and would resist any attempts to force them out.

Some protesters did not want to be identified

She said: "As far as we are concerned, we are not moving from this building until the council enter into some kind of discussion with local people.

"This situation was brought about by the fact that this council will not speak to anyone in the community about the swimming pool.

"We are not here to agitate or to cause problems for the council, but we are here to fight for the community which wants to see the swimming pool remain open."

Campaigners claim the council's decision to close the baths was illegal because it did not take the necessary steps to consult over the proposals.

The council closed the pool in March, saying it was no longer viable and that new facilities were provided at the Gorbals and Bellahouston.

Since then about 200 people have taken turns to make sure the building is occupied 24 hours a day.

Secluded pool

The Edwardian baths were built in 1914, and council officials said they would have to spend £750,000 on immediate repairs to the building and at least £3m to bring the pool up to standard.

Protesters pointed out that the pool contains the city's only secluded pool, which is used by women from the local Muslim community whose faith forbids them from bathing where they can be seen by men.

Protesters, who often spend several days or even weeks without leaving the building, are allowed to use showering and toilet facilities at the pool.

They take in various comforts such as duvets, food and a radio and the council has employed security guards who are outside the premises at all times.