We’re delighted to have been awarded funding from the FCC Communities Foundation‘s Scottish Action Fund to deliver a vital accessibility upgrade at The Boardwalk, our social enterprise events venue in Glasgow City Centre.
The funding will enable us to replace six sets of heavy, non-automatic fire doors with new automatic opening fire doors, significantly improving accessibility throughout the venue.
These doors run along two main corridors within The Boardwalk and provide essential access to all office spaces, studios, and our 120-seat black box theatre.
Why this upgrade matters
The Boardwalk is a vibrant, creative and community-focused venue with tens of thousands of visitors annually, including young people participating in Impact Arts programmes and the general public attending performances, workshops, exhibitions, rehearsals, conferences, and events.
As a social enterprise venue, The Boardwalk plays a key role in supporting Impact Arts‘ mission: tackling inequalities across Scotland through creativity and the arts.
At present, the existing fire doors (installed in 2005) are heavy and pose a barrier for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility or grip strength, and visitors using walking aids or pushing buggies.
Several of our long‑term tenants are disability-led or work extensively with disabled creatives and performers, including:
- Birds of Paradise Theatre Company – a disability-led theatre company
- Solar Bear – working with Deaf and hearing actors
- Paragon Music – delivering inclusive music and performance projects
- Carers Trust – supporting carers of all ages
Their organisations, alongside public survey feedback, helped identify this capital project as an urgent priority. Visitors told us:
“This would make things much easier for me to access the venue independently.”
“Without automatic doors I’m physically unable to open doors or I injure myself when trying.”
What the project will deliver
Thanks to FCC Scottish Action Fund support, we will be able to:
- Replace six sets of corridor fire doors
- Install automatic door openers
- Ensure safe, independent access throughout the building
- Support compliance with current accessibility expectations
This upgrade will directly benefit disabled visitors, early‑career artists, creatives, community groups, families, and young people who use The Boardwalk each year.
A more inclusive creative hub for Glasgow
The Boardwalk has become an essential cultural resource for Glasgow’s city centre, supporting more than 200 organisations annually across the arts and third sector. As a social enterprise, all venue income directly supports Impact Arts’ life-changing creative programmes for people experiencing poverty, inequalities, or social isolation.
This accessibility upgrade represents a significant step forward in ensuring that everyone can experience, create, and participate in the arts at The Boardwalk.
We are deeply grateful to the FCC Scottish Action Fund for making this transformative project possible.
The Boardwalk is a creative, accessible venue in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City with a variety of meeting, performance, studio, and event spaces for hire. Our colourful building is adorned with artwork and has a large foyer and fully functional theatre with a capacity of up to 120 people. We can also provide delicious and diverse catering options and a drinks service.
The bonus? We’re a social enterprise which means every time you choose to host an event at The Boardwalk, you are directly supporting Scottish community arts charity, Impact Arts.
Planning your next event? Book a space at The Boardwalk today.
Email [email protected] or call us on 0141 575 3001
