£1.85m funding boost to Glasgow's SWG3 'masterplan'

A music and arts venue in Glasgow is receiving a £1.85 million boost to help with its masterplan renovation.

SWG3 plans to reshape and reinvigorate the area in and around the building in a bid to create a 'cultural destination' for Scotland.

The works will include improving public access to and through the SWG3 complex, creating an enhanced visitor experience through improved lighting, the addition of public artworks, and linkage to a new public garden and growing space to the rear of the complex.

Funding has been granted by Clyde Mission, a Scottish Government initiative in partnership with Glasgow City Council and other local authorities who border the Clyde, as well as a range of other organisations in the public and private sectors.

Andrew Fleming Brown, Founder of SWG3, commented, "We are hugely grateful to Clyde Mission for this grant.

"The funding is crucial in enabling us to begin work on the delivery of our masterplan; a plan designed to expand and transform SWG3 into a greener, year-round cultural destination, and to better connect us with communities surrounding the complex.

"The Masterplan has been three years in the making with Stallan-Brand architects, so it feels really good to finally be on site with contractors.

"We are very excited to get started on this project and to be in a position to bring our vision to life."

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop commented, "The Clyde Mission's purpose is to use the river to drive sustainable and inclusive growth for the city, the region and Scotland.

"SWG3’s Masterplan is a shining example of urban regeneration.

"It is ambitious, thoughtful and innovative and I am pleased we are able to support such an exciting project."

The total development cost of the Masterplan project is £6.3 million, which will come from a combination of private and public sector investments.

The plans include a roof-top restaurant and sculpture garden, creative industry work spaces, community garden and growing space and Scotland’s first Street Art Hub.

Once complete, it hopes to contribute significantly to the regeneration of the River Clyde and the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District.

Andrew Mickel, Director of SWG3, added, "There has been significant effort to revitalise the River Clyde in recent years and re-establish it as the beating heart of the city.

"This new funding will really help us to level-up, upgrading one of the city’s most popular venues and transforming it into a truly world-class cultural destination for Scotland."

Completion of this phase of the construction project is expected late summer 2021.

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