270 year-old theatre reopens following £6m refurbishment

A MAJOR refurbishment of York Theatre Royal which was delayed by archaeological finds has been completed.

William Birch & Sons have been carrying out an extensive refurbishment of York Theatre Royal, the theatre’s biggest project since it was first built back in 1764. It was last refurbished in 1967.

The building was closed in March 2015, with planned works enabling it to reopen in December last year.

It was held back after the remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital were found underneath the main auditorium.

Snuff boxes, old cigarette/cigar packs, posters, and even an old photograph that was reunited with its owner 60 years after it was lost when a plea was put out by the local paper have been found.

In the £6m development, the main auditorium will be given a refurbishment, as will the front colonnade. Behind-the-scenes the stage, lighting and audio visuals will be rehauled.

The theatre will reopen in the spring of 2016.

Robert Pell, contracts manager at William Birch & Sons and he commented: “York Theatre Royal is a fascinating building on many levels, built up like a patchwork over different time periods.

“Even the logistics of accessing the building have proved challenging, sited where it is in York’s centre and in such close proximity to its neighbours.

“We knew from the start of this project that there were a number of ‘unfounds’ that were likely to be revealed as we began peeling back the layers, and indeed the significant remains of St Leonard’s Hospital have been the biggest find here.”