Theatre set for transformation after £4.3m Arts Council boost
THE Octagon Theatre in Bolton is set to undergo a major transformation after it was allocated £4.3m from Art Council England towards its £10m redevelopment prgorgamme
An initial grant of £430,000 will support development work and the remaining £3.87m will be subject to approval of satisfactory design and business plans.
The Arts Council allocation follows an initial £2m pledged by Bolton Council earlier this year.
The Arts Council’s director North Alison Clark said: “The Octagon’s exciting development plans which will significantly improve the range and quality of the services they can offer to their communities.”
Plans for renovation, announced in January 2015 following consultation from architectural teams Austin Smith Lord and Helm Architecture, focus on modernising and enlarging the building, improving accessibility and accommodation for the Theatre’s on and off-stage theatre projects, including its work with young people.
The project is motivated by a desire to safeguard the Octagon for future generations, making it more environmentally sustainable, financially efficient, and allow for greater artistic and technological innovation.
Elizabeth Newman, artistic director of the Octagon Theatre, said: “The artistic and social benefits to Bolton will be incredible, as the Theatre will be able to expand its provision and reach.
“We have been in desperate need for renovation to make our rehearsal rooms and creative spaces physically accessible, and they finally will be thanks to this building work.”
With an anticipated project cost of approximately £10m there will be a fundraising campaign led by the Octagon Theatre, which is a registered charity
Roddy Gauld, chief executive of the Octagon Theatre, said: “We are thrilled that the Arts Council has chosen to invest in the Octagon. On top of the outstanding support from Bolton Council, this funding pledge means we can now plan confidently for a major transformation of the building.
“Our proposals include making the Octagon fully accessible, more environmentally sustainable and more comfortable for audiences.”
He said 40% more space would be created inside the theatre with the auditorium more comfortable and air conditioning would be installed.
“We will be replacing the flexible seating system within the theatre,” he said. “It is 50 years old as the the Octagon was one of the first theatres in the country to be installed with such a system, but it now needs modernising.”
Gauld said it was planned the alterations, the biggest of which would take place backstage with better rehearsal space would be complete by 2019.
