11 Jan 2001
Lottery funding is helping a major arts venue in Glasgow perform on the world stage, Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said today.
The refurbished Arches - including a new café/bar and exhibition space - in Glasgow city centre will be officially opened by Mr Wilson later today.
Mr Wilson said:
"The Arches is a fantastic venue and I am delighted to see its future being secured in this way. This is a model of how a creative approach can bring new life to a city centre.
"The transformation of 14 railway arches into a major performance and exhibition space is an act of great vision. I pay tribute to the commitment with which the project has been pursued and the funding secured.
"In particular, this is an excellent use of Lottery funding to create a centre of genuinely popular culture. Over 120,000 people visit the Arches every year to see plays and exhibitions, hear live music and comedy, or dance the nights away.
"Its strength is that it has something for everyone - and it is creating jobs and regenerating Glasgow city centre at the same time."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The Arches Theatre Company was formed in 1991 in disused railway arches under Glasgow’s Central Station. The Arches is now a leading venue for theatre, exhibitions, live music and club nights.
2. For the refurbishment project, a £3.5 million lottery grant from the Scottish Arts Council was topped up with contributions from Railtrack Scotland (£350,000), Glasgow City Council (£80,500) and a proportion of self-generated revenue. The refurbished building has new facilities including a café/bar, box office, rehearsal space and exhibition space. There is also a new entrance, at 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow.
3. Further information about the Arches can be found on the website www.thearches.co.uk