Lottery boost for theatre refurbishment

An £11.5 MILLION project to transform a historic theatre into a “world-class venue” has been given an £850,000 lottery boost.

Work begins today to redevelop the Theatre Royal, in Glasgow, creating a new entrance, spacious foyer and roof garden.

The project will be complete by the time the city hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Scottish Opera, which has owned the theatre since 1974, has been leading the campaign to find the necessary funding to carry out the work. The Heritage Lottery Fund has now awarded a grant of £850,000.

Scottish Opera general director Alex Reedijk said: “Our vision is to open up the theatre to ­become a social hub – somewhere people can gather with friends for coffee during the day, enjoy performances, learn about the performing arts, and discover the wonderful heritage of this beautiful theatre.”

The theatre, which was built in 1867, will be given an entrance on the corner of Cowcaddens Road and Hope Street and lifts will be installed.