The Greenock Telegraph publicised the need for ideas, and its managing director Ryrie J Erskine Orr spoke at the 1945 West Renfrewshire Drama Festival, proposing "a beautiful and living theatre that would be the headquarters of all the cultured arts.

[5] They bought the "West End Baths", a disused private swimming pool built in 1881 which had closed in 1941, put together plans and material, and raised funds for its conversion.

This was the first new theatre in mainland Britain for more than twenty years, and was greeted with widespread expressions of support, including messages from Benjamin Britten, John Gielgud, Malcolm Sargent, Sybil Thorndike and Vaughan Williams.

[3] Public performances in this theatre enabled the Arts Guild to gather a local reputation, which helped it to raise funds to cover the cost of building the Main Auditorium.

After several months of discussion and a feasibility study, the Guild opted to build a brand new arts centre - The Beacon - on reclaimed land incorporating the western section of the East India Harbour beside Custom House Quay.

The Arts Guild Theatre closed with a last show on Saturday 8 December 2012,[10] a performance of the pantomime Cinderella by the Greenock Players amateur dramatic company.

The building was subsequently used by the Thistle Theatre Group, but it continued to deteriorate and in December 2017 its owners Peel Land and Property announced demolition of the old premises early in 2018.

[12] Having opted for a new building on the waterfront site, Greenock Arts Guild, which owns and manages the Beacon Arts centre, arranged funding for the construction works with its project partners: Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Creative Scotland were the main contributors, and Big Lottery and Social Investment Scotland put in substantial funding, all secured against the title of the Beacon.

[15] Formerly the entrance frontage to the square was occupied by an 1850s harbourmasters' office and waiting room for the Clyde steamers, and the harbourside area by James Lamont & Co ship repairers: both were cleared away in the 1990s.

The new building was designed by LDN Architects,[18] who aimed to provide a focal point for performing arts in the area as well as a local community asset.

Originally known as The Beacon, the lantern had been used to guide ships mooring at the quayside:[24] it was erected in 1868 to a design by Greenockian artist William Clark, and its cast iron structure was made by the nearby foundry of Rankin & Blackmore.

[23] In July 2011 Lloyd-Webber’s foundation awarded a £100,000 grant to the Beacon Youth Theatre project, and he subsequently attended the topping out ceremony of the new building.

[28] It was officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex on 16 August 2013, following a Gala variety performance by artists including Keith Jack and the award-winning Inverclyde Junior Choir, with music from Andrew Lloyd Webber productions.

[29] The entrance to the Beacon Arts Centre is through a two storey foyer space, which includes the booking office,[19] and there is lift access to the first floor.

[30] The Gallery Suite provides multifunction meeting, rehearsal and functions rooms, which can be combined into one large space, and all have full height windows looking out to the view over the Clyde.

[31] The Beacon has a secure fenced yard providing parking space which can be used by outside broadcasting units for televised events or digital recording of performances.

[28] Participants (11 to 21 years old) get training in contemporary dance and choreography, and have put on productions, with performances both in the Main Auditorium and in other venues including the Tramway and Theatre Royal, Glasgow, and the Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.