A TEAM of 40 is on standby to restore the Pavilion Theatre to its former glory in a £200,000 clean up plan.

But boss Iain Gordon has hit out at Glasgow City Council, saying authorities are being "awkward" about confirming plans for letting him back into his building.

The famous Glasgow theatre has been closed since a fire ripped through nearby Victoria's nightclub in March.

A cordon in place around the City Centre block has put the Pavilion out of action.

Now, finally, Iain has been told he can get back in on Friday - but does not yet know when.

He said: "The council told me last Thursday that the cordon would be reduced on Friday and i would get access.

"I have assembled teams of people who are ready to get in and do the work.

"But despite asking and asking, they still can't or won't tell me what time we will be going in."

Iain has arranged for a 20-strong specialist cleaning crew who are used to dealing with the aftermath of fires.

He also has his usual team of 10 cleaners and around 10 staff have volunteered to come in and help out.

Scaffolding will also have to be erected inside the building at a cost of £50,000 to ensure cleaners will be able to get up into the cornicing and ceilings for a thorough deep clean.

Iain was allowed in to the building a few days after the fire and said his theatre was full of "dust and stoor".

The insurance company went in three weeks ago in order to swab for dangerous materials, including asbestos.

Fortunately, all the swabs came back clear.

There is also damage to the historic theatre after firecrews broke down the door and caused damage as they made their way to the roof of the building.

Iain added: "It is going to be a big job, which is why I need straight answers.

"What’s the betting they will decide last thing on Friday night and all the companies I have arranged will have stopped for the weekend?

"They must know well in advance when they are going to open the road as it will surely need to be cleaned and checked by the roads department before reopening it, also all the public transport will need to know in advance so they can tell bus drivers.

"Emergency services will also need to know in advance of a reopening time, they are just being awkward.

"They also need to arrange companies to remove fencing and all the traffic cones, reset traffic lights.

"Can’t see them just doing this at the last minute there is a lot of advance preparation needed."

Iain believes the total insurance claim for the theatre will be £2 million, once the damage has been assessed and loss of ticket sales taken into account.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman confirmed that the cordon will be reduced on Friday.

The pavements at Hope Street and Renfrew Street will be reopened but Renfrew Lane will stay closed.

Renfield Street will still be closed to traffic.

Businesses in the surrounding streets will be able to gain partial or full access to their premises.

Iain believes the reopening of the Pavilion will be a revitalising step for Sauchiehall Street, which has been decimated by the Victoria Nightclub fire and then by the Glasgow School of Art fire on June 15.

But he said the council should delay work that is due to begin on the former BHS building on the corner of Suachiehall Street and Renfrew Street.

He said: "I think for Sauchiehall Street, having the Pavilion back will generate life into the area.

"The area is desolate at the moment and it is going to take a long time before the shops are back to how they were before.

"The council should open part of the footway on Sauchiehall Street and at least let businesses on the other side, like McDonald's, reopen.

"I have heard the food market is returning in August and that will only give more competition to businesses getting back on their feet - the council should pull the plug on that.

"And there are plans for the demolition of the former BHS building. The street has seen enough demolition for now.

"That won't help."

Meanwhile, the planned dismantling of the Glasgow School of Art (GSoA) Mackintosh building is expected to begin today.

The cranes that will be used to help take the famous structure apart brick by brick have been moved into place.

It is believed GSoA bosses will today confirm whether the work will begin but the council's building control department has given approval for work to go ahead.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "The plan remains the same.

"The cordon will be reduced on Friday with the opening of the pavement at Hope Street and Renfrew Street.

"Renfrew Lane will remain closed.

"The businesses will get either partial or full access to their premises and that includes the Pavilion.

"People should be aware that the demolition process will continue and continue for some weeks.

"We will be confirming details with affected businesses as soon as possible."