The Bob Allan Conference Centre

The Bob Allan Conference Centre

THE man who led the transfer of Glasgow’s council housing stock is to be remembered in a new initiative that bears his name.

The Bob Allan Conference Centre has been created within Saracen House, in the heart of Possilpark, Glasgow, by ng homes as part of their continued regeneration initiatives.

They wanted to honour Bob as he was the driving force behind Europe’s largest housing transfer in 2002, which saw 80,000 Glasgow City Council homes transferred to the not-for-profit Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).

Tenants, residents and the city itself have been reaping great benefits ever since and through locally controlled housing associations such as ng homes.

Bob Allan, who died nine years ago, was passionate in his support for people to have not only a decent home and a decent job but to be able to fulfil their aspirations in life.

ng homes is a leading example of how housing associations have benefitted from stock transfer and is now a leading provider of quality homes in the north of Glasgow. It has previously been involved in marking Bob’s contribution to the regeneration of Glasgow through a lifelong learning project and a family fun day.

Now there will be a permanent memorial to Bob’s legacy and fittingly in an area where his wife Chrissie worked in social work services for many years.

Robert Tamburrini, Chief Executive of ng homes, said: “You cannot underestimate the importance of that first building brick, the successful ballot, in the regeneration of not only housing but communities.

“Bob’s vision was for more than just bricks and mortar. The transfer of housing from council ownership to housing associations freed up millions of pounds for long term investment in quality homes. The work created and sustained many new jobs and other initiatives were developed – for example, within our own organisation, ng2 was created and has provided many employment opportunities.”

Bob’s wife Chrissie and their family are delighted with the recognition. She said: “As a family we are all delighted that Bob’s hard work has been recognised in this way and for me, personally, it is lovely that it is in an area where I worked for so long.”

A ceremony to mark the naming of the conference centre will be held in Saracen House on Thursday 27^th August at 11am followed by lunch and ng homes has issued an open invite to Bob’s former colleagues and friends to join the celebrations. Anyone interested in attending should email: events@nghomes.net