Revised Worcester arts centre plans to be considered
Revised proposals for a new multi-use arts centre in Worcester have received “strong support”, the council has said.
Worcester City Council engaged independent expert Candice Pearson to carry out a stakeholder consultation after plans to create a 500-seat theatre in the Grade II listed Scala and Corn Exchange were halted due to escalating costs.
The exercise has now revealed “strong support” for the creation of a facility providing a flexible space in the Angel Street buildings for a range of activities for the community, including music, drama, film screenings, comedy, book clubs and workshop space.
A report to the council’s policy and resources committee meeting of 16 October says that several organisations have expressed an interest in being involved in running a new venue, and further discussions are now taking place to develop a more detailed plan.
At the same time, the report says, the design team engaged by the council are working up new plans with flexible seating in the Scala’s main auditorium, to allow it to host theatre, conferences, cinema screenings, live music banquets and more.
The Scala and Corn Exchange project is part of the redevelopment of the northern quarter of the city centre, funded by £17.9m from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
David Blake, Worcester City Council managing director, said: “I am grateful to everyone who shared their views and experience as part of this consultation. Budgets and timescales remain challenging, but there’s clearly a shared ambition to make this project a success for Worcester, with a lasting impact for generations to come.
“We have been keeping the Government up to date on these discussions and they are supportive of the steps we are taking. Worcester is far from being the only city to be facing similar challenges – across the UK, many Future High Streets Fund projects are being impacted by rising costs.”
The committee will be asked to support the continuation of the design work and of the discussions over a future operating model, with the overall aim of having a construction contract in place for the renovation work by the end of the year.
