THE owner of the Glasgow's Pavilion has hit out at the lack of council funding given to the theatre - on the day the local authority approved £3 million in arts grants to other venues.

Iain Gordon, who has worked at the city institution since 1977, said the 111-year-old Pavilion is functioning and profitable because of the hard work of those at the helm.

The self-sufficient theatre is said to be the only unsubsidised one in country with all the money coming from shows.

This is in contrast to other city theatres - including the Theatre Royal whose owners were yesterday given a £1 million council loan to plug a gap in an over-budget revamp.

Councillors agreed the loan on top of £850,000 already pledged to the ambitious £14.5 million redevelopment.

And the Scottish Government has already pledged to give owners, Scottish Opera, additional financial help to the tune of £3 million.

Mr Gordon told the Evening Times: "The Pavilion is the only theatre in the city which doesn't get subsidised.

"Over the years I have tried and made approaches to the council and Glasgow Life but I seem to get the door shut in my face.

"You get to the stage where you don't feel like asking."

The theatre boss described the Pavilion - which has hosted popular shows such as Mrs Brown's Boys and the recent box office hit The Real Hoosewives - Fae Glesga! - as "down to earth".

He feels there is more of an emphasis on giving money to "high brow" arts.

Mr Gordon added: "I think there is a snobbery, definitely.

"There still seems to be a difference between what is seen as art and variety.

"I feel like we lose out in favour of things that are more high-brow."

Pavilion management recently spent £100,000 revamping the stone work outside the theatre, also incorporating coloured lights, and last year £200,000 went on upgrading the interior.

Mr Gordon added: "This all came out of our own pocket.

"I think we do more to bring new people to the theatre than others who are subsidised."

Mr Gordon said that they offer regular two-for-one discounts and don't automatically charge booking fees in a bit to appeal to those on lower incomes.

Yesterday Glasgow City Council's executive committee agreed nearly £3 million in grants and loans.

As well as the £1 million loan for the Theatre Royal, the council gave £1 million to help fund the development of The Briggait Centre, which is owned by the council, and the creation of Scotland's first £4 million dance, theatre and street arts arena.

They also gave £861,000 to the Glasgow Film Theatre - half of which will be repaid as a loan - to support phase two of a revamp.

Mr Gordon added: "I feel like if we can do it, if we can run a successful theatre without any subsidies, then why can't these larger organisations do it?

"I wonder, could this public money be better spent?"

He said: "I am not bitter about it,and I don't necessarily think there should be no arts funding, but we have been forced to live within our means.

"And, to be honest, I am happy to not be a drain on the public purse."

After agreeing the financial awards, Bailie Liz Cameron, executive member for jobs and the economy said: “The Briggait, Glasgow Film Theatre and Scottish Opera all make a tremendous contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the city.

"The council’s investment in these capital programmes will further support our arts sector and strengthen Glasgow’s reputation as a leading European city of culture.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "We would consider any request for capital funding support from a venue in the city on its merits.”

The council say that the bids approved yesterday were subject to "intense scrutiny", and any proposal from the Pavilion or any other venue would have to meet the criteria in such scrutiny.