Theatre to shut for two years for £15.5m revamp

Telford Theatre will close for more than two years for a £15.5m expansion.

The building will close in spring 2024 and is set to reopen in October 2026 with a temporary site planned to host shows in the meantime.

A new auditorium will be built to seat 750 people under the plans.

A new secondary studio will have 98 seats which will increase the overall capacity of the theatre by 210 seats.

Other parts of the scheme include a new creative community art room.

Cllr Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “This is a defining moment for our community. The remodelling of Telford Theatre underscores our commitment to nurturing the arts, cultivating talent, and revitalising our vibrant town.”

Graham Wynn, chair of Telford Towns Fund Board, said: “The vision extends to Oakengates Theatre Quarter, and the project fits perfectly with Telford’s Towns Fund Theatre Square and Limes Walk regeneration efforts which will start on site this month. This creates a complete approach to revitalising the town centre, which will turn Oakengates into an inviting and vibrant visitor destination.”