Ceremony marks start of Glasgow Doors Open Days 2023

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival kicked off on Wednesday (September 6) with a symbolic ceremony at the Britannia Panopticon, the world's oldest surviving music hall.

At the historic Trongate building, which is included in this year's programme, Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren was presented with the key to the city to mark the start of the festival.

David Cook, Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, and Stephen Sheriff, by Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

David Cook, Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, and Stephen Sheriff, by Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Free to all, the Doors Open Days Festival offers residents an exclusive opportunity to explore some of the city's most treasured and historically significant buildings.

From September 11 to 17, festival attendees will be able to visit over 100 buildings and immerse themselves in a series of heritage talks, exhibitions, and tours.

While some buildings require advance bookings for entry, dozens of buildings are accessible with no reservation necessary.

The Lord Provost said that the council was thrilled to collaborate with the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT) and the Doors Open Days Festival for another year.

Stephen Sheriff, Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

She said: "Our collaboration underscores Glasgow City Council's dedication to preserving the rich historical heritage of our beloved city.

“This year's festival holds special significance as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, providing us with an opportunity to reflect on the Trust's profound impact on Glasgow's communities throughout the past four decades."

Ms McLaren added: "This festival opens up all the buildings that are locked in the city.

“You see them when you’re walking past or driving past, but this is an opportunity for Glaswegians to get out there and discover the heritage of their city, see their buildings.

“I tell Glaswegians when they’re walking in the city, always to look up because the buildings in Glasgow are absolutely some of the best in the world to see.

“I would encourage Glaswegians to go out in their city and have a wee nosy.”

David Cook, director of GBPT, said the trust was excited to continue its mission of rescuing and repurposing historic buildings across the city.

He added: “This is our chance to understand the place we live and the place we love.

“This is the chance to open the doors and go behind the scenes and see things that you wouldn’t normally get to see. To go into buildings and see different parts of the city.

“I would encourage all Glaswegians, if you’ve not been, to go to your city chambers and see the opulence of Victorian Glasgow at its best."

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