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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Adam Robertson

Demolition work begins on iconic Scottish music venue

DEMOLITION work has started on the iconic ABC building in Glasgow City Centre.

The building was damaged in the second of two fires at the Glasgow School of Art in June 2018 and a dangerous buildings notice was issued to owners last month.

Work has now begun to demolish the building and surrounding structures, with an excavator on site at the ABC.

(Image: NQ)

The process is expected to take several days.

It’s understood there will not be a need for any of Sauchiehall Street to close while the works take place.

Opened in 1929 as the ABC cinema, the building was designed by the architect CJ McNair and stood on the site of what had been Scotland’s largest diorama.

Before its use as a cinema, the building was used by Hengler’s Circus and was also home to an ice rink and dance hall.

(Image: NQ)

Following its closure as a cinema in 1998 and 1999, it was refitted to become a music venue, with David McBride of Regular Music gaining permission to create a venue suitable for 1300 people.

It reopened in the summer of 2005 with an event headlined by Roddy Frame.

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