A Scottish theatre dating back to the 19th century is at imminent risk of liquidation due to the soaring costs of its delayed renovation, the government has been warned.
Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre is facing a funding gap of £8 million for its multimillion-pound redevelopment.
Angus Robertson, the Scottish culture secretary, noted the “significant” shortfall and the “seriousness” of the challenge faced by the historic venue.
A planned November open date for the Gorbals-based theatre, which was last open to the public in 2018, was pushed back to autumn 2026. Recent concerns have been raised that the theatre is running out of finance for the project and could be forced to close for good within months unless the government intervenes.
The government has so far committed £6 million to the renovations, but Robertson warned it may be unable to provide more due to the “acute” issues with its own capital budget.
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The revamp will see the venue, which dates from 1878, wrapped in a three-storey building — protecting its original sandstone — with a 150-seater studio theatre, expanded foyer, new café-bar and improved backstage areas.
The original costs of £10 million announced in 2013 have taken far longer to complete than expected, with the expense rising to £30 million last month, with £27 million said to be allocated.
But Kier Group, the main contractor, is believed to have warned the final cost will be at least £37 million, according to The Scotsman. Glasgow city council has since committed an additional £2 million.
Alex Reedijk, general director of Scottish Opera and interim chairman of the theatre’s board, briefed politicians about the threat facing the venue.
Robertson was questioned about the future of the theatre after a meeting of funders of the development, The Scotsman reported.
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The Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “The redevelopment of Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre is expected to act as a regeneration boost to the Gorbals area. I welcome Glasgow city council’s announcement of its commitment to provide additional funding, but that will not be enough to enable the project to be completed.
“It’s been reported that the council will not release its share of the funding until the other money has been secured. If the project collapses, its benefits will be lost to the local community.”
The Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said: “The risk to the Citizens Theatre is real, with the company under imminent threat of liquidation. On that basis, will the Scottish government actively participate in the steering group that consists of representatives of Glasgow city council, the Citizens Theatre and Kier?”
Roberston said: “We’ve been in regular discussion with the Citizens Theatre regarding the future of the redevelopment project and the significant challenges that it is facing.
“We’ve invested £6 million in the redevelopment, in recognition of the importance of the Citizens Theatre as one of Scotland’s leading cultural institutions.
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“Sadly, since it got under way, the project has been hit by an unprecedented combination of events, from Brexit to the pandemic to high inflation costs, following the war in Ukraine, which has led to soaring costs.”
He added the government recognised the “seriousness of the challenge that is faced by the Citizens Theatre and of the fact that a significant financial gap remains”.
A spokeswoman for the Citizens said it was “hugely appreciative” the council’s £2 million pledge.
She added: “We’re in ongoing, engaged and constructive conversations with the Scottish government and will return to our conversations with the UK government post-election.
“We’re conscious of the need to both negotiate best value for money while proactively bringing together the final funds required and are working hard to do so in time for the completion of construction work by the end of this year.”
