The Arches

Originally a railway support structure beneath Glasgow Central railway station built in 1906 by the architect Donald A Matheson, the site had become derelict until it was converted for the Glasgow's Glasgow exhibition during the city's year as European City of Culture in 1990. The exhibition lost money but the space, which is spread over two floors, appealed to the performers who had been employed to animate the static displays. In 1991 the venue reopened under the seven brick arches of the viaduct that leads into the station with entrances on Midland Street and, after 2001, underneath Hielanman's Umbrella on Argyle Street. The turnover generated by clubbing, bars, cafe, live music and a corporate hospitality business allowed The Arches to fund theatre, performance and visual art exhibitions. The decision to curtail its licensed hours forced The Arches into administration in June 2015.