CITY councillors have agreed a further £1million grant to the redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre.

This means the city council will contribute £5m towards the total £19.4m renovation costs.

The decision has been welcomed by theatre bosses who said the additional funding was essential not only to the redevelopment of the theatre but for the regeneration of the Gorbals and Laurieston.

Executive director Judith Kilvington said: “I am proud our Victorian home in the Gorbals has served communities throughout Glasgow and beyond for 140 years.

“The announcement takes us one big step closer to securing our future and we are now calling on the public to help us write the next act in our story by getting behind our We Are Citizens campaign to raise the final £1.6m needed.”

While redevelopment work is taking place, the theatre’s administration, box office and learning projects will relocate to Scotland Street School museum with the museum remaining open as normal.

Other functions, including carpentry, lighting, rehearsals, stage management and wardrobe will move to City Building’s Skills Academy in the Gorbals and a number of performances will take place in Tramway.

The Citizens Theatre also plans to tour its work while the building is closed.

Kenny McLean, the city council’s city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “I am delighted the council has approved this final piece of funding for the redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre, for so long a great ambassador for Glasgow.

“It has delivered notably successful community programmes and is where so many theatrical careers have been launched.

“This project complements much of what we are doing in the Laurieston and Gorbals areas and I am sure when complete, we will have an asset for all of Glasgow that brings us fantastic cultural, economic and social benefits.”