The A-listed People’s Palace in Glasgow Green has been sitting closed off to the public since 2024, making one of Glasgow’s most iconic free landmarks inaccessible. As a result, the Scottish Government has approved £14 million in funding for a refurbishment project for both People’s Palace and its Winter Gardens, as part of its first 100 days promise.
What’s more, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund are contributing a total of £19.55 million in funding, bringing the budget up significantly.
And now that the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 is live, the refurbishment funding will create local jobs and opportunities for local businesses in Glasgow’s East End.
Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government has announced up to £14 million in conditional support to the refurbishment of the People’s Palace and to secure its reopening to the public.
“This is about far more than bricks and mortar. 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 organisations 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.”
Glasgow City Council’s Convener for Culture, Sport and International Relations, and Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie 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 revitalised 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.”
What’s next for the People’s Palace in Glasgow?
Now that the funding is secured, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life will submit a final business case, with no exact dates confirmed yet.
