DEPRIVED communities have been “left with nothing” as local centres remain shut, it has been warned.

Glasgow’s poorest areas have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, however, councillors have insisted schemes will fail to recover if communities aren’t able to access vital services.

It comes as the Glasgow Times continues its campaign to Save Our Venues in a bid to secure the future of the beloved centres.

Penilee Community Centre, which is home to a cafe, toddler classes and dance clubs, has remained closed since the national lockdown in March last year.

Previously the site, which also housed a small gym, was one of the city’s most well-used community centres.

READ MORE: Plea to reopen gym at ‘heart’ of community

Now, the area’s Councillor Jim Kavanagh fears there is no plan to return the venue to its former glory.

He said: “This was a vital place for people in the area. It was used daily and was always very busy.

“It’s had one of the best attendance records for Glasgow’s community centres, yet there’s no information on when it will reopen.

“Other Glasgow Life sites have reopened, and that’s fantastic, but there needs to be a plan for deprived communities who rely on venues like this.”

Similarly, Drumchapel’s lost out on its centre which, after months of coronavirus-related closure, has been transformed into a community testing site.

Glasgow Times: Councillor Jim KavanaghCouncillor Jim Kavanagh

Meanwhile, the popular Donald Dewar leisure centre is now being used for vaccinations.

Councillor Paul Carey said: “How can anyone justify withdrawing leisure and sports facilities in poorer areas when the government has recognised in a report last September that sport is of vital importance for people in areas of increased poverty?

“Drumchapel has been left with nothing.”

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A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “We understand the strength of feeling there is about venues without reopening dates but no venues have been closed by Glasgow Life.

“Venues were closed as instructed by the Scottish Government in March 2020 as part of the lockdown prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Last month Glasgow City Council passed a motion that called for the reopening of all Glasgow Life venues when funds become available.

“When any new funding is identified, we will discuss which venues will reopen with Glasgow City Council.

“In the meantime the £100million budget allocated to Glasgow Life this year by Glasgow City Council is being fully used on reopening more than 90 venues across the city.”