Historic Glasgow theatre which has played host to stars is bought by London company

A Glasgow theatre which has played host to stars including Harry Lauder, Charlie Chaplin and Sir Billy Connolly has been taken over by new owners.

London-based Trafalgar Entertainment (TE) has snapped up The Pavilion Theatre for an undisclosed sum.

The 1,449-capacity Renfield Street venue opened in 1904 and has welcomed a number of household names over the years, including music hall singer Marie Lloyd, the legendary Lulu, dynamic duo The Krankies, and comedians John Bishop, Sara Pascoe and Jason Manford.

As well as surviving two world wars and the pandemic, the beloved theatre also emerged from the ashes after it was damaged in a major fire that destroyed nearby Victoria’s nightclub and neighbouring buildings in Sauchiehall Street back in March 2018.

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The Pavilion will become part of TE’s Trafalgar Theatres division and will sit alongside other venues within the firm’s portfolio including Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End, the Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia and 12 UK regional theatres including Southend Cliffs Pavilion, the New Theatre, Cardiff, G Live and Wycombe Swan.

The new owners have pledged to maintain the Pavilion’s legacy and intend to increase the number of shows on offer to grow audiences that will ensure a “successful future” for the theatre.

Dame Rosemary Squire, joint co-founder and CEO of Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled and delighted to have the opportunity to be the future operators of The Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow.

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“Over the past five decades the current owners, the general manager Iain Gordon, and his team have done a fantastic job.

“We pay tribute to their tenacity, commitment and hard work – and the legacy they leave.”

Mr Gordon has worked at the theatre since 1977 and has managed the venue since 1984.

He will now retire from his role as part of the changes.

Mr Gordon said: “The time is right – and this is the right time for me to move onto pastures new.”

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Mr Gordon thanked the “dedicated staff and professional performers” as well as the audiences who have supported the theatre over the years.

He added: “I wish them all well for the future and hope the Grand Old Lady of Renfield Street continues to live on and prosper well into the future.”

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