A 113-year-old theatre in Perth is moving ever closer to renovation, following a substantial funding boost from Creative Scotland.

Horsecross Arts, the organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, has been awarded £2m towards the upgrade of Perth Theatre, bringing the total funding raised for the renovation to £9m. The project is estimated to cost £13m.

The transformation proposal was revealed in 2008 and plans by Richard Murphy Architects have already been given the green light.

£3m had already been given by Perth & Kinross Council, along with a further £3m grant from the Gannochy Trust.

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Jacqueline McKay, chief executive designate of Horsecross Arts, said: "£2m from Creative Scotland is a giant leap forward in the Transform Perth Theatre project and rewards all the hard work the Horsecross team has been putting in to develop and promote this exciting and transformative proposal.

"Horsecross Arts is determined to restore Perth's beautiful Edwardian auditorium and to create around it a vibrant, engaging and welcoming cultural landmark that the people of Perth and the whole of Scotland will visit and be proud of for many years to come."

Efforts recognised

The theatre was originally opened in 1901 and the new renovation will be sympathetic to the original features of the B listed Edwardian building.

Councillor Ian Miller, said: "Horsecross Arts' bid was a strong one, with substantial funding already in place, and this award recognises the considerable work that has gone into the submission.

"By adding significantly to the funding the Council and The Gannochy Trust have already committed, Creative Scotland has endorsed the project and this will encourage other funders."

(IT)