Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee have agreed to give a financial contribution towards the King's Theatre Building Development Programme.

The Council has granted £395,580 for Phase 1 of a bigger £7.2m restoration project being led by Glasgow Theatres Ltd, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group.

The King's, owned by Glasgow City Council but leased to Glasgow Theatres Ltd, will undergo a staged programme of restoration and refurbishment over the next seven years, allowing work to be completed in time for Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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The Council's Executive Committee also agreed in principle to support the project in subsequent years, subject to annual review and further discussion on proposed work.

Glasgow Theatres have put forward further requests for £2.8m for 2009/10 and 20010/11, which will be considered in the future.

The focus of the work over the next three years will comprise refurbishing all front of house areas including auditorium, stalls, gallery and the theatre's bars and the exterior of the building. A full external structural assessment will also be undertaken in the future.

Glasgow City Council's executive member for culture and sport, Councillor Archie Graham, said: "The King's Theatre is a Glasgow institution; playing host to top stars, shows and musicals as well as giving amateur groups a chance to showcase their work.

"This is just the first step to restoring the King’s to its former glory."

(GK/JM)