The grant joins £4m already secured from the City of Edinburgh Council along with additional loan funding. The rest of the budget is made up of generous donations from individuals, grants from trusts and foundations, support from companies and Capital Theatres’ own contribution from ticket income. Alongside this, an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently moving into its second stage.

Announced this week by minister for culture and international development Jenny Gilruth MSP, the grant paves the way for a public campaign to fundraise for the remaining £3m.

Bennetts Associates submitted a formal planning application last June for the project, which was delayed by a year due to the pandemic.

The two-year renovation is expected to secure the future of 115-year-old venue.

Plans include a refurbishment to the front of house and backstage areas, with proposals for an education area and further facilities to boost community use of the theatre.

Step-free access ‘from street to seat’ will be introduced together with a range of back-stage improvements designed to meet the needs of contemporary productions including an extended fly tower, new lighting gantries and technical facilities.

Theatreplan, Thomas & Adamson, Max Fordham, Will Rudd Davidson and Gleeds all provided contributed technical assistance for the application.

Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres, said: “We’re overjoyed with this show of support and confidence in the King’s Redevelopment Project from the Scottish Government. As COVID 19 hit in March 2020, Capital Theatres announced that the redevelopment of the King’s would be paused for a year whilst we dealt with the impact of the pandemic.

“Far from lose momentum on the project, 15 months of closure has made us all the more determined to ensure the King’s Theatre can honour its illustrious past with a thriving future at the heart of Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural life. Not only a wonderful venue for joy and inspiration, the King’s will also offer a thriving hub by day for the many communities situated in and around Tollcross.

“The Scottish Government’s grant, along with the grant and loan funding from City of Edinburgh Council, makes this project viable. This funding stands alongside the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant we are working so hard to secure, and the tireless efforts of our Development Team. There is, however, still a way to go to reach our financial target and we’ll be launching a public fundraising campaign later in the year. This last push will build on the generous support shown during our period of closure, so the people of Edinburgh and Scotland can continue to play their part by helping us secure the future of the King’s as a historical and cultural treasure.”

Culture minister Jenny Gilruth added: “The King’s Theatre has been a jewel in Edinburgh’s cultural crown for more than 100 years, with generations of audiences enjoying a rich diversity of shows from its annual pantomimes to world premieres at the Edinburgh International Festival.

“The Scottish Government is pleased to support the redevelopment of the grade A-listed theatre and enable the King’s Theatre to reach out to a wider range of audience and increase its community engagement.”