Nottingham venue gets cash for major development

Published: 28 February 2016
Reporter: Steve Orme

Artist’s impression of the new entrance to the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
Artist’s impression of the Len Maynard Suite rehearsal studio
Artist’s impression of the new box office foyer

A £3.3 million project to increase daytime use of Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall will go ahead after bosses secured funding.

The two “largest arts and entertainment venues in the East Midlands” have secured £1.5 million from Arts Council England to go with £1.8 million committed by the city council.

The transformation aims to improve facilities and underused spaces such as meeting rooms, foyer spaces, the café bar and roof terraces.

The work will take 18 months. Both venues will remain open. The improvements will include:

  • creating a new entrance to both the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall;
  • remodelling the Royal Concert Hall entrance foyer and box office;
  • modernising the Royal Concert Hall’s meeting rooms and function suites;
  • creating a new rehearsal space;
  • refurbishing the Royal Concert Hall foyer bars;
  • creating a new outdoor seating and performance area; and
  • improving stage door, backstage and dressing-room areas to make them accessible for all performers and staff.

Robert Sanderson, the venue’s managing director, said, “we’re so delighted in this vote of confidence from Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council.

“In recent years we’ve been very successful in improving the quality of our programme and building audiences for a wide variety of arts and entertainment events. This project aims to add to that success by securing sustainability for the future.

“The Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall is already a lively, enjoyable space but we want to extend that throughout the day, from breakfast time through to midnight.

“We want to reach out to local businesses and community groups too, by offering them inspiring and multi-functional spaces that really do meet the needs of everyone. Everybody should have the opportunity to use and enjoy this wonderful building.”

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