After 25 years, Glasgow's multi-use arts space, The Arches in Argyle Street, is to close.
The Arches produced and presented work from local and international artists and companies, providing support for emergent artists and performance practitioners, running Artist in Residence and Creative Learning programmes and an annual celebration of the live experience, the BEHAVIOUR festival.
Lucy Mason, Artistic Director for The Arches, said, “the Arches has developed an international reputation as a producer and programmer of distinctive performance, providing opportunities for artists at all stages of their career to experiment and hone their practice. Without The Arches, the radical energy at the heart of Scotland’s theatre-making community will be greatly diminished, and the future for many individual artists suddenly feels very uncertain.”
The Arches has been heavily dependent on revenue from its successful night club activities which it runs alongside its arts programme, and the recent decision of Glasgow Licensing Board to restrict licensed hours has meant it faces a significant drop in income.
The Licensing Board acted in light of police reports of drug taking and anti–social behaviour. This blow to the venue comes on top of an overall trading deficit for the year largely due to changes to club event door policy, recommended by Police Scotland.
Mark Anderson, Executive Director for The Arches, commented, “not only will the local economy suffer through the loss of a unique and important venue for clubbing, live music, and corporate hospitality… but Glasgow’s reputation as a vibrant and progressive city of European culture suffers with it. Everyone connected to the Arches feels an overwhelming sense of injustice, but we can hold our heads high and be immensely proud of the lasting legacy we undoubtedly leave."
A petition signed by close to 40,000 people, a social media campaign, #savethearches, and discussions with Creative Scotland and Glasgow City Council to explore whether a funding package could be put in place in the time available have not been successful.
In a statement explaining the need to appoint administrators, Gordon Kennedy, Chairman of The Arches Board of Directors, said, “we were disappointed and surprised at the outcome of the Licensing Board. The Arches has a zero tolerance approach to drugs and has cooperated with the Police over many years.
“For an unprecedented six years, The Arches won gold standard under the Glasgow Community Safety/Strathclyde Police Best Bar None awards—recognition of best practice in maintaining safe and well-run premises. No other venue in Scotland has achieved that."
All events scheduled at the Arches have been cancelled.