People's Palace and Winter Garden's to close this weekend for major refurb

It is your last chance to visit the museum until around 2027

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 12th Apr 2024

People are being urged to visit one of Glasgow's best-known attractions before the first phases of a major facelift begins.

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens in Glasgow Green will close its doors on Sunday, April 14 2024 for a £36 million investment that is set to reimagine the venue by 2027.

Originally built in 1898 as a cultural facility, the museum was last updated in the 1990s showcasing social history.

Now, bosses hope to revitalise the venue by including digital displays and technology to bring the museum into the 21st century.

Further consultation with the public will ensure the new exhibition is reflective of a modern Glasgow, but that key favourites will remain.

The bright Barrowland sign and the iconic banana boots worn by Billy Connolly are among the popular exhibits.

The project secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund that paves the way to a wider £7.5m award.

Glasgow City Council has committed £2.9m to the project with a further £11m pledged at a later date.

Glasgow Life is continuing to work with other funders to secure the remaining investment required.

Duncan Dornan, head of museums and collections at Glasgow Life, said: "Clever use of digital technology can really enhance an experience.

"Through the Burrell project, we developed some really new, innovative and sector-leading approaches which are both subtle but at the same time flexible and engaging.

"That's the kind of thing we'll be able to bring to the palace.

"It's a really exciting opportunity to create a visitor attraction in the east end that really works for the people who live here.

"But at the same time, it's going to be a major draw for international tourists and it'll give a window into Glasgow's population.

"Do please come to see the palace in its old guise while you can, but also look out and please engage with us over the development phase so you can help form what the new one looks like."

The People's Palace will close at 5pm, April 14 2024.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.