Barrowland unveils plans to alter famous facade

Among the other artists to have played the 1,900 capacity venue in Glasgow’s East End are U2, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Oasis, Depeche Mode, REM and Simple Minds - who sought to evoke what it means to play in the Barrowland on 2018 single ‘Barrowland Star’.

Now the Barrowland is set to alter its famous facade to 'enhance and develop the building for the future', The Herald can exclusively reveal. 

A planning application has been lodged with Glasgow City Council by Margaret McIver Ltd, the company that owns both the Barrowland and the Barras Market, along with Glasgow architectural practice McGinlay Bell. 

The proposals would see the addition of a large LED display to the facade - positioned to the right of the Barrowland neon sign - and another LED display along the side and underside of the entrance canopy.

The reimagined Barrowland facade (Image: Sysco Productions) A planning statement, prepared by McGinlay Bell, notes that the LED screens would be "carefully integrated into a section of the existing facade and entrance canopy, ensuring that they enhance the building’s character without overshadowing or detracting from the existing lighting features".

"This proposal will in no way interfere or alter the existing neon lettering and stars, as careful recognition is shown to its significance and identity".

The firm said: "The installation of LED display screens to a portion of the façade and canopy offers new potential for advertisement and visibility, enhancing the ability to engage and speak to a contemporary audience.

"The Barrowland façade presents an exciting opportunity to serve as a fully digital platform for showcasing upcoming events and sharing venue-related information. Additionally, it has the potential to elevate the iconic façade by integrating a dynamic, contemporary digital feature."

In the planning statement, McGinlay Bell also propose that the LED display for canopy sides could take the form of a LED ticker, which are "well-suited for displaying scrolling or static text, numbers, and symbols".

The plans are currently pending consideration by council officials.

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The Barrowland Ballroom was the crowning glory of the east end of Glasgow when it was opened as a dancehall for market traders by Maggie McIver on Christmas Eve 1934. After her death in 1958 the hall was razed in a massive fire but was rebuilt and reopened to the public on Christmas Eve of 1960, with the famous neon signage being switched on in 1985.

Believed to be the largest of its kind in the UK, the neon sign has featured on a worldwide Apple iphone billboard campaign with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Kamasi Washington and has even been replicated as a stage backdrop - by Glasgow’s own indie-rockers Franz Ferdinand. 

In 2023, Glasgow City Council said it would “welcome” any move to see the neon sign granted listed landmark status like that already afforded to prestigious buildings such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Scotland Street School, the Argyll Arcade and Glasgow Cathedral. 

It came after Historic Environment Scotland, which assesses buildings for listing in Scotland, confirmed to The Herald that the legislation and policy it works is now more flexible than it was when it declined a previous bid to grant both the venue and its iconic sign protected status back in 2006.

The campaign was started by Alan Pert, former Professor of Architecture at Strathclyde University Department of Architecture and director of NORD Architecture, amid concerns at the time over the long-term future of the venue and won support from ex-Lord Provost of Glasgow Alex Mosson, the Glasgow Nightclub Forum and several city concert promoters. 

The Barrowland's general manager, Tom Joyes, also backed the bid, saying at the time: “The sign is a major landmark for Glasgow and of the Scottish music scene, and although we haven't looked at what the up or downsides would be to the place getting listed status, I would be delighted if it could be preserved."

The neon sign replaced the original sign that adorned the roof of the Barrowland when it first opened back in 1934 as a ballroom. 

Depicting a man pushing a wheelbarrow and complete with a flash mechanism that gave the impression of spinning wheels, it was believed to be the first animated neon sign in the UK.

The cartwheel of the wheelbarrow from the original sign - the only remaining fixture rescued from the 1958 fire - is now located on the ceiling in the main foyer area.

Last year, two new bars, Kitty’s Bar and Victor’s Bar, were inaugurated in the Barrowland, honouring Kitty and Victor Cairns, who played significant roles in revitalising the ballroom.