Image: A new entrance is planned for the theatre

Scottish Opera has announced the start of work on an £11.5m redevelopment of Glasgow's historic Theatre Royal, which will provide "much-needed" new public spaces at the venue.

It is hoped the redevelopment will be completed in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with Glasgow-based architects PagePark behind the design of the new-look Theatre Royal.

Plans feature a new entrance on the corner of Cowcaddens Road and Hope Street, which will accommodate new bars, a box office, cloakrooms, toilet facilities and hospitality suites.

Lifts will be installed for the first time to improve access to all levels of the facility and a new Education Suite will help Scottish Opera expand the delivery of its arts education work.

The arts organisation has owned the theatre since 1974 and is fronting the campaign to raise the necessary funds for the scheme, with the Heritage Lottery Fund contributing £850,000.

Scottish Opera said 85 per cent of the funding is now in place, with the Scottish Government investing £3.96m. Creative Scotland and Glasgow City Council are also contributing.

The construction phase is expected to last around 18 months, although the Theatre Royal will only close for a three-month period during early 2014.

Alex Reedijk, general director of Scottish Opera, said: "Our vision is to open up the theatre to become a social hub - somewhere people can gather with friends for great coffee during the day, enjoy outstanding performances, learn about the performing arts, and discover the wonderful heritage of this beautiful theatre."

Click here for more information about the redevelopment of Glasgow's Theatre Royal, which first opened 145 years ago.

Image: Brian Allen