Seven theatre buildings split £2m ACE improvement fund

Seven theatres, including West Yorkshire Playhouse, Bolton’s Octagon Theatre and Colchester’s Mercury Theatre, have received a share of nearly £2 million to plan major changes to their buildings.

South London theatre Ovalhouse and Liverpool’s Royal Court are also among 16 projects to reach the second stage of Arts Council England’s large capital grants programme, which enables organisations to refurbish, upgrade or extend their venues.

As part of the second stage, successful applicants are given grants to develop detailed designs and a delivery plan – ahead of a much larger grant if the plans are later accepted.

West Yorkshire Playhouse has received £300,000 to plan a £6.6 million overhaul of its existing venue, while Bolton Octagon has been granted £430,000 to extend its building – allowing for a modernised auditorium and increased backstage space.

Colchester Mercury received a £480,000 grant to improve and extend its audience and production facilities, and Ovalhouse has been awarded £130,000 towards its planned moved to Brixton in 2017.

Other projects awarded stage one funding include the Royal Court in Liverpool (£100,000), Polka Theatre in Wimbledon (£230,000) and a new arts centre in Sunderland proposed by the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust (£250,000).

ACE chief executive Darren Henley said: “This programme is about backing a wide range of really exciting proposals to allow our arts and cultural organisations to thrive, for the benefit of artists and audiences across the country.

“We look forward to seeing the second stages of these applications so that we can help to get these projects off the ground, to help enhance the arts and cultural infrastructure around the country.”