Table of Contents
Introduction
The Barrowland Ballroom is a music venue located in Glasgow, Scotland. It has been a popular spot for concerts and events since it first opened in 1934. The ownership of the Barrowland has changed hands several times over the years, but it is currently owned by the Scottish music promoter, DF Concerts.
History of the Barrowland in Glasgow
The Barrowland Ballroom is a legendary music venue located in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland. It has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 80 years, hosting some of the biggest names in music history. But who owns this iconic venue?
The Barrowland Ballroom was first opened in 1934 by the Barras Market Company, which owned the adjacent Barras Market. The venue quickly became popular with locals and visitors alike, hosting dances and concerts featuring popular bands of the time. During World War II, the ballroom was used as a temporary hospital for wounded soldiers.
In the 1960s, the Barrowland Ballroom became a hub for the emerging Glasgow music scene. Bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who all played at the venue, cementing its reputation as a must-visit destination for touring musicians. Over the years, the ballroom has continued to attract big names, including David Bowie, Oasis, and Radiohead.
In 1983, the Barras Market Company sold the Barrowland Ballroom to local businessman Peter Gillespie. Gillespie invested heavily in the venue, renovating the interior and upgrading the sound system. He also established a close relationship with the local music community, ensuring that the ballroom remained a vital part of Glasgow’s cultural landscape.
In 2002, Gillespie sold the Barrowland Ballroom to DF Concerts, a Scottish music promotion company. DF Concerts continued to invest in the venue, adding a new bar and upgrading the lighting system. They also expanded the ballroom’s capacity, making it one of the largest music venues in Scotland.
Today, the Barrowland Ballroom is still owned by DF Concerts. The company has continued to maintain the venue’s reputation as a premier music destination, hosting concerts by some of the biggest names in the industry. In recent years, the ballroom has also become a popular venue for corporate events and private parties.
Despite changing ownership over the years, the Barrowland Ballroom has remained a beloved institution in Glasgow. Its iconic neon sign, which reads “Barrowland Ballroom: Glasgow’s Dancing Palace,” has become a symbol of the city’s vibrant music scene. The venue’s unique atmosphere, with its sprung dance floor and balcony overlooking the stage, has made it a favorite of both musicians and fans.
In conclusion, the Barrowland Ballroom has a rich history that spans over eight decades. From its humble beginnings as a dance hall to its current status as one of Scotland’s premier music venues, the ballroom has remained a vital part of Glasgow’s cultural landscape. While ownership of the venue has changed hands over the years, its legacy as a hub for live music and entertainment has remained unchanged. Today, the Barrowland Ballroom continues to attract music lovers from all over the world, cementing its place as one of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks.
Legal ownership of the Barrowland
The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow is an iconic music venue that has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 80 years. It has hosted some of the biggest names in music, from David Bowie to Oasis, and has become a cultural institution in its own right. However, despite its importance to the city, there has been some confusion over who actually owns the Barrowland.
The legal ownership of the Barrowland is a complex issue that has been the subject of much debate over the years. The venue was originally built in 1934 by the Barras Market Company, which was a private company that owned and operated the nearby Barras Market. The Barrowland was intended to be a venue for the market’s traders to socialize and relax after a hard day’s work.
However, over the years, the Barrowland became much more than just a social club for market traders. It began to attract a wider audience, and soon became one of the most popular music venues in the city. As a result, the ownership of the Barrowland became a more complicated issue, as different parties began to claim ownership of the venue.
One of the main claimants to the ownership of the Barrowland is the Barras Market Company itself. The company argues that it still owns the venue, and that it has the right to operate it as it sees fit. However, this claim has been disputed by other parties, who argue that the Barras Market Company no longer has any legal right to the Barrowland.
Another party that has claimed ownership of the Barrowland is Glasgow City Council. The council argues that it has a legal right to the venue, as it was built on land that was owned by the council at the time of its construction. However, this claim has also been disputed, with some arguing that the council’s ownership of the land does not necessarily give it ownership of the building itself.
Despite the various claims to ownership of the Barrowland, there has been no definitive ruling on the matter. The venue continues to operate as it has done for many years, with the Barras Market Company running the day-to-day operations of the venue. However, there is still some uncertainty over who actually owns the building, and this has led to some concerns about the future of the venue.
One of the main concerns is that the Barrowland could be sold off to a private developer, who may not have the same commitment to preserving the venue’s cultural heritage as the current owners. There have been calls for the venue to be given protected status, to ensure that it remains a part of Glasgow’s cultural landscape for generations to come.
In conclusion, the legal ownership of the Barrowland is a complex issue that has yet to be resolved. While the Barras Market Company continues to operate the venue, there are still questions over who actually owns the building. This uncertainty has led to concerns about the future of the venue, and there have been calls for it to be given protected status to ensure that it remains a part of Glasgow’s cultural heritage for years to come.
Previous owners of the Barrowland
The Barrowland Ballroom is a legendary music venue located in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland. It has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 80 years, hosting some of the biggest names in music history. But who owns the Barrowland today? To answer that question, we must first look at the venue’s previous owners.
The Barrowland Ballroom was originally built in 1934 by the Glasgow-based Barras Market Company. The venue was designed to be a dance hall and was named after the nearby Barrowland market. The Barras Market Company owned the venue until the 1950s when it was sold to the Scottish National Orchestra.
The Scottish National Orchestra owned the Barrowland for several years, using it as a rehearsal space and occasional concert venue. However, the orchestra struggled to make the venue profitable and eventually sold it to local businessman Peter Scouller in 1960.
Scouller was a shrewd businessman who saw the potential in the Barrowland as a music venue. He invested heavily in the venue, installing a new sound system and lighting rig, and booking some of the biggest names in music at the time, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd.
Scouller owned the Barrowland for over 20 years, during which time it became one of the most iconic music venues in the UK. However, in the early 1980s, Scouller began to suffer from ill health and was forced to sell the venue.
The Barrowland was sold to local businessman Hugh Dorian in 1983. Dorian continued to run the venue as a music venue, booking acts such as Nirvana, Oasis, and Radiohead. However, in 1994, Dorian was forced to sell the venue due to financial difficulties.
The Barrowland was then purchased by Glasgow-based company Regular Music. Regular Music continued to run the venue as a music venue, booking acts such as Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, and Foo Fighters. However, in 2009, Regular Music was acquired by Live Nation, the world’s largest live entertainment company.
Live Nation continues to own and operate the Barrowland today. The company has invested heavily in the venue, upgrading the sound system and lighting rig, and ensuring that it remains one of the best music venues in the UK.
In conclusion, the Barrowland Ballroom has had several owners over the years, each of whom has contributed to its success as a music venue. Today, the venue is owned by Live Nation, who continue to ensure that it remains a vital part of Glasgow’s music scene. The Barrowland’s rich history and iconic status make it a must-visit venue for music fans from around the world.
Current management of the Barrowland
The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow is a legendary music venue that has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 80 years. It has hosted some of the biggest names in music, from The Beatles to Oasis, and continues to attract both local and international acts. However, despite its popularity, there has been some confusion over who actually owns the Barrowland.
Currently, the Barrowland is managed by the Barrowland Ballroom Limited, a company that was established in 1983 by the late music promoter, Thomas McLaughlin. McLaughlin was a key figure in the Glasgow music scene and was responsible for bringing many famous acts to the Barrowland. He passed away in 2004, but his legacy lives on through the continued success of the venue.
The Barrowland Ballroom Limited is now run by McLaughlin’s son, Joe, who has continued to uphold his father’s vision for the venue. Under Joe’s management, the Barrowland has undergone several renovations to improve its facilities and ensure that it remains a top destination for music lovers.
Despite the success of the Barrowland Ballroom Limited, there have been some questions over who actually owns the venue. Some have speculated that the Barrowland is owned by the Glasgow City Council, while others believe that it is owned by a private individual or group.
However, according to Joe McLaughlin, the Barrowland is privately owned by his family. In an interview with The Scotsman, he stated that his family had purchased the venue in the 1980s and had been managing it ever since. He also revealed that the family had plans to expand the venue in the future, with the addition of a hotel and restaurant.
Despite the ownership of the Barrowland being clarified, there are still concerns over the future of the venue. In recent years, there has been a trend of music venues being sold off for redevelopment, with many iconic venues being lost in the process. The Barrowland has managed to avoid this fate so far, but there are fears that it could be at risk in the future.
To combat this, there have been calls for the Barrowland to be given protected status, similar to that of other iconic buildings in Glasgow. This would ensure that the venue could not be sold off or demolished without the approval of the city council.
In conclusion, the Barrowland Ballroom Limited currently manages the Barrowland in Glasgow, which is privately owned by the McLaughlin family. Despite this, there are concerns over the future of the venue and calls for it to be given protected status. The Barrowland has a rich history and is an important part of Glasgow’s cultural heritage, and it is important that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Future plans for the Barrowland
The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow is an iconic music venue that has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 80 years. It has hosted some of the biggest names in music, from The Beatles to Oasis, and has become a beloved institution for music fans in Glasgow and beyond. However, in recent years, there has been some uncertainty about the future of the Barrowland, with questions arising about who owns the venue and what plans are in place for its future.
The Barrowland Ballroom was originally built in 1934 as a dance hall, and over the years it has undergone several renovations and changes of ownership. In 1983, it was purchased by the current owners, the Scottish music promoter Regular Music, who have been responsible for booking some of the biggest acts to play at the venue. However, in recent years, there has been speculation that Regular Music may be looking to sell the Barrowland, leading to concerns about what might happen to the venue if it falls into the hands of a new owner.
Despite these concerns, there are also reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Barrowland. In 2019, it was announced that the venue would be undergoing a major refurbishment, with plans to upgrade the sound and lighting systems, improve accessibility, and make other improvements to the building. The refurbishment is being funded by a £1.8 million grant from the Scottish government, and is expected to be completed by 2021.
In addition to the refurbishment, there are also plans to expand the Barrowland’s capacity by building a new balcony area. This would allow the venue to accommodate more people and attract even bigger acts, while still maintaining the intimate atmosphere that has made it so popular with music fans over the years. The plans for the balcony are still in the early stages, but it is hoped that construction will begin in the near future.
Of course, any changes to the Barrowland will need to be carefully managed to ensure that the venue retains its unique character and charm. The Barrowland is known for its distinctive neon sign, which has become an iconic symbol of Glasgow’s music scene. It is also known for its sprung dance floor, which has been a feature of the venue since it was first built. Any changes to these elements of the venue would need to be carefully considered to ensure that they do not detract from the Barrowland’s appeal.
Ultimately, the future of the Barrowland will depend on a number of factors, including who owns the venue and what plans they have for its future. However, with the refurbishment and plans for expansion underway, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of this beloved music venue. Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, or any other genre of music, the Barrowland Ballroom is sure to remain a must-visit destination for music lovers in Glasgow and beyond.
Q&A
1. Who owns the Barrowland in Glasgow?
The Barrowland in Glasgow is owned by the Scottish Events Campus (SEC).
2. When was the Barrowland in Glasgow built?
The Barrowland in Glasgow was built in 1934.
3. What is the capacity of the Barrowland in Glasgow?
The capacity of the Barrowland in Glasgow is around 2,100 people.
4. What kind of events are held at the Barrowland in Glasgow?
The Barrowland in Glasgow hosts a variety of events, including concerts, comedy shows, and club nights.
5. Is the Barrowland in Glasgow a listed building?
Yes, the Barrowland in Glasgow is a Category B listed building, which means it is recognized as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Conclusion
The Barrowland in Glasgow is owned by the Scottish Events Campus (SEC).