Glasgow theatre group 'saddened' by cut to Tramway opening hours

The cuts are part of cost-saving measures by Glasgow City Council

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 3rd Mar 2023

The Tramway will be reducing opening hours as a result of funding cuts by Glasgow City Council as of April 1 2023.

The arts venue and the Mitchell Library are operated by the arms-length organisation Glasgow Life, which operates arts and leisure centres on behalf of the local authority.

Both are set to see reductions in opening times as part of a Ā£7million savings package.

However, a local theatre group which offers support to recovering drug users is saddened by the move.

'It's not all about singing and dancing'

Creative Citizens says the arts play a key part in improving mental health and supporting rehabilitation.

Anne Marie from the group said: "It really is sad that there are cuts right across the board, but especially that theatres like this are going to be open less.

"Now more than ever, we need to be giving back to communities instead of taking away from it.

"I think more needs to be put into the arts, because it does so much for people who are marginalised in the community."

She added: "It's not all about singing and dancing.

Ā£Ultimately, yes, that's what you'll see in there, but it's about the journeys behind that.

"It's about using drama and arts to let our society express itself and heal."

Retain and rebuild

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: ā€œThe savings Glasgow Life has been asked to make as part of the Glasgow City Council 2023/24 budget add up to around 9% of the annual service fee it receives from the City Council.

ā€œThese plans ensure we will not have to close any venues.

"Wherever possible we have identified ways of making savings by reducing, rather than losing Glasgow Life services, programmes and events; retaining the potential to rebuild them in the future.ā€

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