The council’s plans could see The Lighthouse feature incubator units for fledgling design companies and an art and design bookshop, as well as space for exhibitions and commercial tenants.
The plans follow talks with the Scottish Executive and Architecture & Design Scotland to increase their presence within the building.
The council hopes to see a charitable organisation take over the lease and operate the building with the council.
The Lighthouse went into administration in August 2009 after the centre reportedly fell into £220 000 worth of debt. The losses followed the cancellation of the Six Cities Design Festival, which is managed by The Lighthouse, and an expensive Venice Biennale project.
During the transition period it is intended that the museum will continue to display the permanent Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibition and temporarily house the collections from Glasgow’s Museum of Transport during its move to a new location. The building will also be used for conferences and events.
Glasgow City Council’s executive member for business and the economy George Ryan says, ‘From the outset of The Lighthouse Trust’s financial troubles, the council has always said that it would investigate all the options to keep The Lighthouse financially viable and open for business. It is an important base for Glasgow and the country’s cultural industries, and we were keen not to lose this.’
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