GLASGOW'S Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) has recorded the most successful financial results in the company's history.

THE Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) has recorded the most successful financial results in the company's history after a year in which it hosted major events from the Commonwealth Games to the live show of Still Game. 
The firm reported a pre-tax profit of £6.7 million last year and turnover was up 50 per cent year-on-year to £34.9m.
Bosses said the SSE Hydro, which opened in 2013, had been the catalyst for the increase in turnover in 2014/15, coupled with the impact of the Commonwealth Games. 
The SECC precinct hosted six sports - boxing, gymnastics, judo, netball, wrestling and weightlifting - with thousands of people watching the athletes compete last summer.
Other events include the sell-out run of Still Game, starring Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, and performances by Prince and The Who, whose 50th anniversary tour kicked off at the SSE Hydro.
Peter Duthie, chief executive of the SECC, said: "These are outstanding results which should be measured not only in financial terms, but also by the increased economic impact generated by the campus with over 2.15 million visitors and numerous prestigious events held during the year. 
"We welcomed the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony, the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.  
"The SSE Hydro has been the catalyst for this success. The venue hosted over 130 live entertainment performances in the year, with over one million visitors making it the second busiest live entertainment arena in the world in 2014."
As well as the flagship events, major performers have taken to the stage in the past year. The SSE Hydro famously went meat-free on the night Morrissey took to the stage.
Meanwhile, the SECC has held major conferences and events such as the Ideal Home Show and the Scottish Wedding Show. 
Mr Duthie said that the business conducted by the company had brought £485m of net additional expenditure in Glasgow, £273m to Scotland and £117m to the UK.
He added: "The SECC was a key venue for the Commonwealth Games however it is important to note that these expenditure figures exclude any impact from this event."
Commercial turnover for the year also increased by 98 per cent driven by the income stream from sponsorship and hospitality. 
Overall operating costs increased by 21 per cent from £23.1m to £27.9m as a result of the enlarged business.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "This is fantastic news and demonstrates exactly why we were right to invest in the city's world class venues.
"The success of both the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and The SSE Hydro has been phenomenal and these figures give another indication of how the city has benefited. 
"Glasgow is one of the UK's outstanding performers in the tourism and events business and confidence in us is at an all-time high."
Mr Duthie added: "The profits generated during the year will be reinvested in the campus to ensure the existing facilities continue to meet the needs of our customers in an increasingly competitive market.  
"Whilst this year's results are exceptional we do not expect a repeat of this in the current financial year. Whilst still showing overall underlying growth, next year's results will be influenced by the major new investment programme already under way to ensure that The SSE Hydro is part of a truly world class campus.
"Having a venue on the campus with 365 days a year availability has increased the number of events hosted.  
"Demand for future events in The SSE Hydro continues to be strong with a host of international artists including Neil Diamond, Bette Midler, Fleetwood Mac and, performing in one of only two UK venues during their world tour, U2."