A multi-million-pound refurbishment of Chesterfield's theatre and museum which will create a “state-of-the-art cultural venue in the heart of the town centre” has officially started.
The refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall, home to both the Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum, includes the creation of a single entrance and an expanded theatre.
The project has been in development since 2021 when Chesterfield borough council secured money from the government’s levelling-up fund. The museum and theatre closed in 2022 to allow work to begin including the removal of asbestos.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, the authority’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said, “this project seeks to protect this building for the future but also to enhance the visitor experience which will encourage more people to attend shows and visit our museum.
“The council is facing significant financial pressures now and in future, but by securing external investment to transform the building and make improvements to energy efficiency, we’re ensuring that our facilities provide the best possible value for money and contribute to our climate change targets.”
The Pomegranate’s auditorium will be refurbished and it will have an increased capacity. There will also be better accessibility to the theatre.
The project is expected to be completed before the end of 2025.