£35m for theatre capital investment projects

Both public and private theatre investors are announcing significant new funding for capital improvement. The Ambassadors Theatre Group (ATG) has detailed its £15m spending on refurbishments to a number of its 39 venues across the country, while Arts Council England (ACE) has announced £20m being made available in grants for small capital projects.

ATG’s capital investment plan, taking place over 2011-2013, has already resulted in the refurbishment of a number of its theatres’ bars, expanding disabled access and technical improvements as well as large scale refurbishments on several theatres. These have included a £500k refurbishment of the exterior of Manchester Opera House and a £300,000 restoration of the façade of the Grade II listed Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross. Ongoing projects include increasing and upgrading toilet facilities where possible across their theatres, which has already meant an increase in facilities for the Bristol Hippodrome and several of its London venues. There is also a plan to see the high grade ergonomic seating already installed at its Fortune Theatre to be rolled out across the whole group.

The ACE funding is designed for those needing to complete small refurbishments rather than full scale renovations. Organisations can apply for grants between £100k and £500k, which can be accessed in two rounds over the next two years. Priority will be given to those National Portfolio Organisations that own or operate arts buildings. Both organisations highlight the long-term benefits of capital projects– ACE claim the value of investment in buildings and facilities mean theatres can ‘become more sustainable and resilient businesses’ while David Blyth, ATG’s Property Director, commented, ‘…our overall aim is to dramatically increase the customer experience and preserve our beautiful, historic buildings for future generations.’