GLASGOW'S iconic People's Palace is to reopen this week after it was saved from closure.

The historic venue was closed at the end of last year due to health and safety concerns with the adjoining Winter Gardens.

But, following the Evening Times' charter to see the Glasgow Green site and the glasshouse reopened, £350,000 was announced to save the building.

Now, Glasgow Life have confirmed the social history museum will open "independently" of the gardens on Friday.

Several alterations have been made at the People’s Palace, including the addition of a new café and retail space located on the ground floor, access to public toilets and a new fire escape, which was previously located within the Winter Gardens.

Read more: People's Palace to remain open after £350,000 funding for adaptations is confirmed

School groups will be able to access a new purpose-built packed lunch area on the top floor of the museum, replacing the former space available within the Winter Gardens.

While visitors will be able to enjoy a new photography exhibition, which captures daily life in the city in 1955, with an accompanying book available from the museum’s shop.

Councillor David McDonald,chair of Glasgow Life, said: "The People’s Palace is just that; it’s the official residence of the stories, the images, and the memories of the people of our great city, entertaining and informing Glaswegians with displays of how we lived, worked and played in years gone by.

"There was an understandably strong reaction to the suggestions of the possible closure of the People’s Palace, a clear demonstrations of its affection amongst the Glasgow public.

Read more: 10,000 people sign up to save People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

"So I’m pleased that it is now scheduled to reopen and vindicates our pledge that we would undertake the work to allow it to remain open while a long term solution is found to the challenges of the Winter Gardens.

"The People’s Palace collection belongs to Glaswegians and we’re glad they will continue to enjoy access to it."

However, the Winter Gardens remains closed and a date for its reopening is yet to be confirmed.

Glasgow Life says the structure is in need of repairs and the sealant used to secure thousands of windows in the glasshouse has reached the end of its life.

The current repair bill estimated to be £5-7.5million, with Glasgow City Council currently looking at how the Winter Gardens could be used in future.

The organisation insisted "no decisions have been taken at this time".

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