The People's Palace will reopen to the public following months of closure, Glasgow Life confirmed today.
The major city landmark, located at Glasgow Green, was last open in September. Then it was announced there would be a 'temporary closure', due to 'essential building maintenance works'.
Today, Councillor David McDonald, chairman of Glasgow Life and depute leader of Glasgow City Council, took to Twitter to say: "Very happy to confirm that the @PeoplesPalaceGL will be reopening (following recent repairs to internal plasterwork) on the 23rd of February."
With the doors having been closed for the majority of lockdown, this is the first time the museum will be open seven days a week sine the pandemic struck.
Despite confirmation the People's Palace will reopen, Glaswegians still await news about a potential reopening of the adjoining Winter Gardens.
Local campaign group Friends of the People's Palace and Winter Gardens have been calling for the historic building to be repaired, restored and re-opened since it was closed 'indefinitely' in December 2018. Although the People's Palace opened briefly over the summer of 2021 while covid restrictions allowed, the glasshouse has remained closed due to safety concerns.
Survey work found the glass building to be structurally unsafe and repair work for both buildings was estimated to have totalled around £350,000.
In November, a photo showing the virtually unrecognisable Winter Gardens lying in "ruins" was circulated on social media, with campaigners saying the much-loved landmark has been "devastated" by the council.
Glasgow City Council responded by commenting: "Following the closure of the Winter Gardens at the end of 2018, all plants with a known horticultural value or significance were relocated to the Botanic Gardens or Queen’s Park.
"Others, including a number that were either diseased or otherwise reaching the end of their natural life, were not moved.
"These pictures were taken during the removal of the remaining overgrown vegetation, much of which was causing damage to the fabric of the Winter Gardens itself. This was essential in order to carry out structural survey work – which is vital in order to secure the future of the building."
Glasgow Life have since released a statement on the reopening of People's Palace and say: "In March 2020, like all public buildings, The People’s Palace was forced to close in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. It reopened on Wednesday 30 June 2021 and was open two days a week until Wednesday 8 September 2021, when essential repairs to damaged plasterwork on the top floor of the museum temporarily closed the building.
"Now, with the museum set to reopen to full-time hours, comedian Billy Connolly’s Banana Boots will once again be on display and visitors will be able to take a trip down memory lane to the much-loved Steamie and Buttercup Dairy shop. A limited programme of workshops will also be available for education establishments to enjoy.
"While remedial works were undertaken to repair the section of damaged plasterwork last year, the collections on the top floor, which look at the history of housing and living in Glasgow and different visions of the city, and include Ken Currie paintings and trade union banners, were removed for safekeeping.
"Having been on display at The People’s Palace for twenty years, these important items are currently being cleaned and made secure for display once again by the expert conservation staff at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre. They will be re-instated to The People’s Palace as soon as possible, and the top floor of the museum will remain closed while the conservation work is concluded. The café and shop will also remain closed at this time.
"The People’s Palace opened in 1898 as a centre for culture and entertainment that would build community spirit and promote the health and wellbeing of Glasgow’s citizens. The People’s Palace is an historic building which will require substantial capital works in the future."
Councillor David McDonald further added: "The People's Palace is one of Glasgow’s most cherished places. For over 120 years it has been the home of the city's social history, our collective memory, and a place that fosters a strong sense of belonging. The museum is home to many wonderful exhibitions, collections and artefacts that appeal to people of all ages, including Doon the Watter and The Buttercup Dairy.
"I look forward to this important venue reopening next week, and once again entertaining and informing Glaswegians and visitors to the city alike."
When contacted for further comment on the Winter Gardens, a Glasgow Life spokesperson said: "We are very clear in our ambition to restore the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens to its former glory and we are working hard to identify the funding required for renovations to progress.
"We are also renewing our efforts to engage with interested stakeholders on how the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens could be re-imagined as a future destination and visitor attraction."
The People's Palace will be open Monday to Thursday and Saturday – 10am-5pm and Fri and Sunday – 11am-5pm.
For more information you can visit www.glasgowmuseums.com.
