Cumbernauld Theatre saved with £150,000 from Scottish Government

A popular North Lanarkshire theatre has been saved with £150,000 from the Scottish Government.

The Cumbernauld Theatre Trust previously warned that it would have to hand its building back to the local authority if it couldn’t raise enough money by mid-December after Creative Scotland withdrew its funding.

The theatre’s closure would have threatened more than 50 jobs and “jeopardised opportunities” for future performers.

On Friday, the Scottish Government announced that it has awarded £150,000 worth of transition funding to ensure the future of the theatre.

The money will allow the theatre to continue its cultural programme and community work, while taking steps to shore up its finances.

“The Cumbernauld Theatre is an important cultural asset for North Lanarkshire and the wider culture sector in Scotland,” Scottish culture secretary Angus Robertson said.

“As a result of its failure to secure multi-year funding, the Trust faced a critical funding gap for 2026-27, which would have required the Trust to consult on redundancies.”

Given the theatre’s significance to the community and in order to protect the sector-specific skills it provides employment opportunities for, Robertson said the Scottish Government has agreed to support the Trust with £150,000 in grant funding over 2026-27, and a potential further £150,000 in 2027-28.

The funding is subject to the Trust demonstrating that its sustainability issues are being addressed.

Robertson added: “This funding should enable the Trust to move beyond a challenging period and take the necessary steps to secure Cumbernauld Theatre’s future.”

Alan Caldwell, chair of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and the Scottish Government for our constructive conversations over the last few months and today’s announcement of its strategic investment in the future of this important cultural organisation.

“Their grant of £150,000 in 2026/27 and a potential further award in 2027/28 allows the Trust time to plan for a long-term sustainable future, while continuing to deliver its valuable work for residents in an area of Scotland which is under-served in terms of cultural and community opportunities.”

Creative Scotland has also agreed to give Cumbernauld Theatre Trust £99,557 in support of a programme of community engagement and work celebrating the town’s anniversary over the course of 2026.