Sutton Community Academy’s theatre has now been stripped out ready for refurbishment works to begin.
The works are part of Ashfield District Council and Sutton Community Academy’s plans to upgrade the theatre, which will be rebranded and opened to the public as Cornerstone Theatre. The project is being funded as part of the Council’s £6.27m Future High Streets Fund, and is central to their plans to revitalise Sutton town centre.
The new theatre, which is due to be completed mid-2025, will allow residents and visitors to watch professional theatre performances, cinematic experiences, music and comedy nights in the heart of Sutton. Students at the college will continue to use the theatre for their performances and will give them valuable experience in a high-quality facility.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration, and Local Planning, said: “This project will help us achieve our goals of creating a vibrant and safe night-time economy in Ashfield. We are so proud to be investing in arts and culture, to allow more people of all backgrounds, young and old, in Ashfield and beyond to experience the magic of cinema, live theatre and music right here on their doorstep.
“All our regeneration projects, funded through over £100million external investment, have the common aim – to create an Ashfield that is a great place to live, work, play, study and visit.”
New dressing rooms and a green room, toilets – including a changing places room – foyer and box office will be created to accommodate the improved theatre. Inside the theatre itself the auditorium will be completely refurbished with new flooring, ceiling, acoustic wall treatments and doors.
A new retractable seating system will provide seating, and specialist lighting will also be installed. Considerations are being made to ensure the theatre will be an accessible space for staff, performers, and the audience.
Simon Martin, Vice Principal at ATTFE, said: “ATTFE is hugely excited to be involved in the inception and the future running of the Cornerstone facility. Sutton-in-Ashfield and the surrounding area has long needed investment in and opportunities for cultural experiences of all sorts, and Cornerstone will provide these for the direct communities, neighbourhoods, and families that we serve.”
