One of Glasgow's oldest theatres has asked for permission to upgrade its heating system.

The Pavilion Theatre on Renfield Street submitted plans to Glasgow City Council this month outlining their plan. They want to make internal and external alternations with the installation of gas boilers, air handling units, pipework, flue terminals to lane, and associated works. 

The theatre, which opened in 1904, is protected as a category A listed building. 

In a heritage statement supplied by the theatre, now owned by London-based Trafalgar Theatres, it states it was designed by Bertie Crewe. 

The statement said: "The A-listed building, now under the care of Trafalgar Theatres, has survived nearby fire and its own flood and to quote the Theatres Trust, is ‘still gloriously alive’  although with its small footprint struggles with the demands of the modern-day audience in the limited size of circulation areas, small/few refreshment sales points and a limited number of toilet facilities.

"These struggles extend to audience comfort with limited temperature control and auditorium heating (the stage has no effective heating) via an oil-fired boiler dating from the 1970s that is well past its operational life, presenting a safety, environmental, and technical hazard too.

"(This was) illustrated last autumn/winter when the boiler required significant works and was not operational for an extended period while a specialist engineer attended (a challenge in itself to find engineers for oil-fired boilers) and parts were sourced and adapted to fit.

"The boiler has had to be decommissioned to allow for removal of asbestos insulation debris around the room and from boiler gaskets and pipe flanges.

"Lack of heating resulted in numerous complaints from patrons and from producers, several of whom threatened to pull shows and we were fortunate to have a mild winter to avoid the financial and reputational damage of cancellations."

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The statement added: "The improvements will ensure the Pavilion Theatre can continue to operate without disruption and allow our forecast 275,000 patrons a year (50,000 new patrons attended in the last year as we built new relationships with producers such as the Tron, National Theatre of Scotland, Glasgow International Comedy Festival and Celtic Connections) to enjoy their night at the theatre in comfort (as can our actors!) and contribute to the regeneration of the city centre – an area that had a year on year decline of over 400,000 visitors this May - with associated spend with local businesses."

The Pavilion Theatre is best known for its panto run each year and has seen many stars tread its boards including Billy Connolly, David Suchet, Lulu, Rikki Fulton, and Charlie Chaplin. 

A decision is expected on the plans by Thursday, September 26 and the last date for comments is Friday, September 13.