THE new £125 million music venue on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow will open on time.
The 12,000-seater Hydro Arena has secured the required permissions to open its doors after the local authority ruled it was safe for the public.
The temporary occupation certificate issued yesterday means the opening night's Rod Stewart concert on Monday will go ahead.
A preview for specially invited guests will also take place on Thursday, with the handover of the building from contractors Lend Lease to owners the SECC also due to take place this week. It comes after a fraught few months for the venue, following disputes with contractors and then a fire which set back the schedule further.
At one stage a delayed opening of several months was considered.
The SECC's John Sharkey told The Herald in July that completion of the venue was "really going to be right down to the wire", warning of a "hairy journey" until the end of this month to get the arena completed in time for the planned opening.
As recently as last week sources close to the project told The Herald the chances of opening on time were "tight".
But Glasgow City Council confirmed yesterday that its building control section issued the temporary occupation certificate, which means that while the contractor still has to carry out some minor works to the building, these do not affect its safety.
The award of the consents has also allowed the council's licensing section to issue today a premises licence for the sale of alcohol and a public entertainment licence.
Mr Sharkey said: "Even just in terms of a step to getting Rod on stage next Monday we are just delighted to get to this point a week from the doors opening.
"We've had guys working 24/7 in the past few months and it is a great testament to them that we have got to where we are now.
"We have still got a few things to do and the building has to be officially handed over. But that will happen some time this week."
Earlier this year, amid serious worries over whether the Hydro would be completed in time for its planned opening, the SECC entered agreements to incentivise contractor Lend Lease to complete the job on time.
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