People's Palace and Winter Gardens Closure Extended Until 2029 for Major Revamp

London, United Kingdom Aug 27, 2026 ALN: A full-scale revamp of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens in Glasgow will cost at least £50 million and will not be complete until the end of 2029, under a redrawn timetable for the project.

Work is finally expected to get underway by the end of next year after the Scottish Government committed £14 million to the long-awaited project.

Revamping Glasgow's Cultural Heritage

The renovation aims to modernize the social history museum to reflect contemporary Glasgow while creating a “world-class visitor destination” in the city’s east end.

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The cost of the transformation has leapt up from an estimated £35.9 million when the site closed for refurbishment in the spring of 2024 to the new figure of £50.86 million.

The city council, which has already committed £13.9 million to the project, will be asked to contribute a further £5 million next week.

Glasgow Life, the charity which runs the historic complex on behalf of the council, is also hoping to secure more than £9 million worth of support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to further boost the funding package in place for the revamp, which has been in planning for around a decade.

The scale and complexity of the project, construction industry inflation, and “market volatility” are all said to have been key factors in the £15 million increase in the cost of the project, which Glasgow Life has pledged will be a “once-in-a-generation transformation.”

Two-thirds of the funding is now said to be in place for the project; however, it is hoped the additional £5 million from the council and £9.15 million requested from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will mean 94% of the required finance will be in place by the autumn.

A Historical Perspective

Glasgow’s first purpose-built museum, the People’s Palace has documented the social history of the city from around 1750 to the 1990s. However, the condition of both the museum and the glasshouse have fallen into significant decline in recent decades, with regular repairs and closures ordered over health and safety concerns.

More than 7,000 people from across Glasgow are said to have shaped the plans for the site, which dates back to 1898.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life stated: "This is an exceptionally complex Grade A listed heritage project involving the restoration of a historic museum and Victorian glasshouse, alongside the creation of a completely renewed visitor experience.

"As the detailed design and technical work has progressed, we have developed a much clearer understanding of the scale of the restoration and the costs involved, which cover all aspects of the project including detailed design development, structural repairs, environmental improvements, new visitor facilities, exhibition fit-out, interpretation, professional fees, and contingency allowances. Construction inflation and market volatility have also had an impact.

"Our reopening timetable has changed because the detailed development of a project of this scale and complexity has given us a clearer understanding of the work required, and the time needed to deliver it properly.

"It’s a longer timescale than we intended, but this is a once-in-a-generation investment, and our responsibility is to make sure we get it right and deliver something that will last for generations."

Hopes of reopening the complex by 2027 were dashed earlier this year due to the increasing cost of the revamp and a lack of confirmed funding.

Glasgow Life criticized the Scottish Government after the project missed out on funding in the most recent Scottish Budget announcement in January. However, funding support was pledged by the SNP during the Holyrood election campaign, and the project featured in the party’s manifesto.

Glasgow Life chair Annette Christie, who is also the city council's culture convener, said: “The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation. It’s a complex and ambitious project that has been co-created with the people of Glasgow and will secure the long-term future of one of the city’s most treasured and nationally important cultural spaces.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for this welcome investment, which is a significant vote of confidence in our plans and brings us an important step closer to creating an inclusive, accessible and world-class social history museum and visitor destination in the city’s east end.

“Glasgow has a strong track record of delivering major cultural and heritage developments, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and wider partners to deliver a revitalized People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.

“When complete, the project will reflect the aspirations of local communities, provide new opportunities for learning, participation and employment, support tourism, and boost our economy.

“Above all, it will ensure these remarkable buildings, which hold a unique place in Glasgow’s history, can continue to play an important role in the life of Glaswegians for generations to come.”

The Scottish Government said its support for the project was being “capped” at £14 million, with the funding conditional on a final business case being approved.

Culture secretary Màiri McAllan said: “The People's Palace has welcomed generations of Glaswegians as well as visitors from further afield, and this investment will ensure they can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.

“It will also protect historic collections which tell the story of Glasgow's working people, safeguard the much-loved Winter Gardens as a space for the whole community, and support jobs and footfall in the city’s east end.

“This conditional support reflects an exceptional cross-sector partnership and demonstrates what can be achieved when government, funders and cultural organizations work together around a shared vision.

"The People's Palace is a cherished part of Glasgow's story and Scotland's cultural heritage. This investment demonstrates our support for preserving that legacy, and I look forward to seeing the refurbishment plans move forward."