Protest as charity is banned by home show
The
(Glasgow, Scotland) Evening Times
October 15, 2004
By Caroline
Wilson
A HOMELESS charity was today protesting outside Glasgow's Ideal Home Show after being banned from the exhibition.
Shelter Scotland had hoped to put up a stand at the nine-day SECC show to highlight the plight of children in poor housing.
But charity workers were stunned when show bosses said their campaign wasn't a "good fit" with the exhibition.
In protest, supporters were today driving their campaign vehicle, emblazoned with posters of slum housing, round the entrance to the SECC to coincide with the opening of the exhibition.
Furious campaigners were also putting up posters in Glasgow Underground stations which include a cot in a filthy room and a disgusting leaky toilet.
Kate Seymour, of Shelter Scotland, said: "Scotland has the worst record for poor housing in western Europe.
"We approached the Ideal Home Show to have a presence at the exhibition.
"They told us it wasn't a 'good fit' for the show. We were obviously very disappointed.
"I assume they thought it might look as if we were criticising people's right to take pride in their homes.
"We totally respect people's right to make their homes beautiful - but we just wanted them to spare a thought for Scots who are enduring the most appalling housing conditions.
"We feel this obsession with home improvement is not leaving any space for the debate on Scotland's appalling housing record."
Central Scotland MSP Carolyn Leckie said: "It obviously smacks of a company so afraid of compromising its profits it won't allow a Scots charity to highlight an extremely serious issue."
Glasgow has the highest number of households with children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland.
Around £3.5billion is needed to bring Scotland's homes up to the most basic standards.
A spokeswoman for the Ideal Home Show declined to comment on Shelter's claims it had been told it didn't fit with the show's image.
She said: "We get approached by many charities and unfortunately were unable to go with Shelter.
"We absolutely support what they do. We will be supporting the Variety Club charity which works to improve the quality of life for sick and disadvantaged children."
Shelter is running a "sit in" campaign to highlight its message on homelessness.
Over the next four months, the charity's red chair will visit 26 towns and cities across Britain, including Glasgow.
Members of the public can sit in the chair, have their photo taken and sign up for the campaign.
Model Nell McAndrew is among the celebrities pictured taking a pew to back the campaign.
Shelter's red chair is in The Arches today and Buchanan Galleries tomorrow from 10am to 6pm.