Citizens Theatre secures extra £3.5m in funding for refurbishment

The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow is to receive further Scottish government funding to help complete a seven-year redevelopment project.

Ministers have awarded an additional £3.5m to the venue, described as a "significant national asset". The extra money takes the total government contribution to £17.5m.

The latest funding will help the Citizens cover the final costs of what is described as an "extensive refurbishment" to the building in the Gorbals area, which has been its home since 1945.

It reopened in August 2025 following work to modernise the building, which originally opened as Her Majesty's Theatre in 1878.

The theatre closed in June 2018 for a refurbishment which was planned to take three years, but the plan was hit by Covid and skyrocketing costs.

The overall original cost was estimated at £20m but is expected to wind up costing almost double that sum.

Angus Robertson, the Scottish government's culture secretary, said: "As well as being the main producing theatre for audiences in the west of Scotland, Citizens Theatre is a significant national asset for the theatre sector, providing regular employment for around 120 staff across creative, technical, front of house and administrative roles."

Alison Newtown, chairwoman of the Citizens Theatre Board, said they were deeply grateful to the Scottish government for the funding boost.

She added: "With our funders' support, we have delivered a transformed, accessible theatre building, deeply rooted in the many communities that it serves.

"Glasgow has welcomed us back with open arms - with more than 50,000 people through our doors since we reopened last year.

"Our funders have been steadfast in their commitment to the project and this final intervention by the Scottish government was the last step in the journey.

"With an exciting season of work ahead, we will continue to deliver artistic excellence for and with our communities as part of Scotland's rich and internationally renowned cultural offer."

The restoration maintained the theatre's historic auditorium and its Victorian stage equipment, the oldest surviving in the UK, and wrapped it in a brand-new three-storey building.

The revamp includes a new foyer, improved accessibility, a new bar area and social spaces, with enhanced backstage facilities for performers.