£11m pre-Games boost for music venues

Two leading cultural venues are to be redeveloped in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games with the help of £11 million in government funding.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) will receive £7m towards an extension to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

The plans include a new 600-seat performance venue that can double as a rehearsal space.

RSNO will leave its current home at the Henry Wood Hall in the city’s west end and move to the new development once the work is complete. The orchestra’s new building, on a site next to the existing Royal Concert Hall, will contain the new RSNO administrative offices, practice rooms and an education facility.

Glasgow City Council is also contributing to the project.

Scottish Opera will be allocated £4m towards the cost of upgrading the Theatre Royal Glasgow, with work including improving front-of-house areas and disabled access.