Kelvingrove Park Bandstand
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( 1924, architect: James Miller ) Once a common feature, traditional bandstands are now increasingly scarce in the UK's parks. Kelvingrove's bandstand dates from 1924-5. Possibly designed by James Miller, or designed in-house by the City Parks Department the bandstand is unusual for its amphitheatre seating and its picturesque riverside setting. Although exceedingly popular for band concerts in the 1950s to outdoor gigs in the 1990's, the bandstand fell into disuse in recent years. Now recognised as a rare example of its type, the Kelvingrove Bandstand was listed as Category B in 2000 and is now the subject of an ambitious community-based scheme to restore and revitalise the facility as a venue for a wide range of open-air performances and events.
 Please click here to see a 360degree Panorama of the Bandstand |
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Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project Bandstand Motion in Scottish Parliament
The Friends of Kelvingrove Park received a great boost for the bandstand restoration campaign recently, when Pauline McNeill MSP put forward the following motion to the Scottish Parliament:
Bandstand Project - waiting for Council's backing
There has been lots of support for our project from various quarters: a motion in the Scottish Parliament, support from internationally famous bands, theatre companies and an extensive array of people from all areas of the arts and public life.All it needs now is Council approval for the project to move forward with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. You could help us by contacting your local city councillor via this webpage, http://www.writetothem.com/, and letting them know that you support the restoration of the bandstand in Kelvingrove. Thanks for all of your continued interest and support. News - Summer 2005 This brief presentation outlines part of the Business Plan for the restoration of the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand and Amphitheatre, produced by Gen Consulting Ltd. and funded by Glasgow City Council Land Services, Glasgow Conservation Society West and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project The Bandstand & Amphitheatre Project has now reached a critical stage, with the handing-over of the draft Business Plan to the City Council Parks Officers. We have asked them to come up with constructive comments on the report, and to respond positively to the principle of restoring the bandstand and amphitheatre as a public facility. A lot of money and effort has been spent on a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for the bandstand, but so far councillors and officials from Glasgow City Council have managed to avoid making a clear commitment to restore the bandstand. If you wish to express support or find out further information about the Bandstand and Amphitheatre project, then you please contact us using the address below, or youn can visit our stall in the upper-hall of Hillhead Library during the West End Festival on 12th June. Tea and Coffee will be provided. Belle and Sebastian, and Teenage Fanclub (at a photoshoot in the Glasgow Transport Museum). Both bands very kindly posed for photos for us. They are strongly supporting our campaign to restore the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand into a popular working music venue, without selling-off Glasgow's Parkland in the process.
Haven't had time to update the website for a while, but there has been significant progress on the project funding. The bandstand project has been approved by the City Council, and is now in line for consideration for Historic Scotland funding. However, this is likely to be a lengthy process, so we're also applying for City Council Landfill Tax Credits. Hopefully more progress to report soon. The funding stage is difficult as, at present, people walk past and see a 'fenced-off building' without being aware of its structural strength, historical importance and potential for enhancing the area. It'll be a relief to see restoration work eventually start on the building, and at some point get productions on stage and crowds back into the auditorium. There was a meeting of 'Friends of Kelvingrove Park' at Hillhead Library on Thursday 7th February 2002 to launch the Kelvingrove "Bandstand Feasibility Study". The music of the Johnny 7 got things off to a nice surreal start, followed by a presentation of the feasibility study by Neil Baxter Associates, which was very well received. The group are now consulting with the City Council and various potential funders of the project on how satisfy their criteria and allow the restoration project to proceed. The Bandstand has suffered from some vandalism and has had fencing erected to prevent further damage. The restoration project is slowly but surely getting off the ground, and work should start in the not too distant future. 
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