Pioneering Glasgow-based organic grower and retailer Locavore says a decision by the city council requiring it to vacate its urban farm at Bellahouston Nursery will result in the closure of the entire enterprise, with the loss of 80 jobs and its two shops.

Locavore says it has been told by Glasgow City Council to leave the Bellahouston Nursery site by 31 July. Reuben Chesters, founder of the pioneering not-for-profit, said: “We are deeply disappointed and frustrated by the lack of transparency regarding the decision making process, and the unwillingness of the Council to explore solutions with us in spite of awareness of the existential threat this position poses to our social enterprise.”

In January 2024, Locavore – a not for-profit founded in 2011 as sustainable food initiative – closed its Edinburgh store and canteen, and the businesses went into administration, following a period of challenging trading conditions. In the process, its lease on Bellahouston Nursery was voided. Locavore, now trading as Chard Holding Group CIC, says it had received assurances that the new organisation would be able to continue to operate from the site.

Locavore Bellahouston currently hosts 120 community growing plots and is home to Locavore’s veg box service which supports local and organic farms and supplies almost 2000 households with veg boxes across Glasgow and central Scotland.

In statements given to Scottish media, Glasgow City Council denied it had given Chard CIC any reassurances about the Bellahouston site. A spokesperson said: “Locavore ceased to exist owing hundreds of thousands of pounds to its creditors, including the council. As should be expected, Locavore’s lease also ended when that company was entered into administration.”

But now Locavore says that it has decided “decided to go public in an effort to safeguard livelihoods and secure the valuable work it does in Glasgow and beyond”. It has also published a report about its work at Bellahouston and its experience of engaging with the Council, and launched a petition to fight the Council’s decision.

Locavore director, Dorothea Warlich, said: “As citizens of Glasgow, we need action, not warm words on sustainability from the Council. That means supporting organisations that are trying to do good work, rather than shutting them down.

“Locavore’s work at Bellahouston provides Glasgow with a nationally recognised example of a social enterprise that is at the forefront of building sustainable food networks.”