The site of Queen's Park's original Hampden Park ground has been advertised for let, sparking a campaign to secure its future as a community heritage hub. City Property Glasgow, the site's owner, is marketing the former bowling green and clubhouse at 10 Kingsley Avenue as an 'exciting leisure opportunity' after the Hampden Bowling Club dissolved earlier this year.
Campaign for community ownership
A local group, the First Hampden Community Interest Company, is working on a proposal to bring the site into community ownership. The group's vision is to create a hub for residents and retain the area as a heritage site, launching a 'First Hampden for All' campaign. "We're working to keep it in local hands, as a community hub and heritage site, open to all," a spokesperson for the First Hampden group said. Their initial request for a community ownership transfer was rejected by City Property Glasgow, which cited the site's income-generating potential.
Historic significance and protection
The original Hampden Park opened in 1873 and is believed to be the world's first purpose-built football ground. Queen's Park played there for a decade before relocating due to railway expansion plans, eventually moving to their current Mount Florida home in 1903. Remains of the original pavilion, discovered in an archaeological dig five years ago, are a scheduled monument within the adjacent Kingsley Gardens. While this Rose Garden section has protected status, the former bowling club site itself is not covered by the designation.
Seeking more time for a bid
To develop a formal proposal, the community group has secured funding for a feasibility study. John Grady, the Scottish Labour MP for Glasgow East, has written to City Property Glasgow seeking a six-month extension before bids close. "This would produce a robust community-led bid for City Property Glasgow's assessment," Grady said. The campaign is collating signatures of support online as they work against the clock.
While the club's focus is on the pitch, where they sit 10th in the Scottish Championship with four points from nine games, this off-field effort connects to its founding roots. Supporters can follow the team's upcoming fixtures, starting with a home match against Inverness CT, and check the latest squad information. The campaign aims to ensure the birthplace of the Spiders remains a tangible part of Glasgow's sporting story.
