Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre is set to temporarily close its doors later this month in preparation for a multi-million-pound renovation project that will create an enhanced customer experience.
The theatre will close on Sunday 26 June before planned refurbishment works start on Stephenson Memorial Hall.
Ian Waller, Chesterfield Borough Council’s service director – leisure, culture and community wellbeing, said: “Stephenson Memorial Hall is a landmark in our town and our ambitious plans are set to make it even more memorable and enjoyable – creating a modern visitor experience in the heart of our town.
“Colleagues have been working to carefully move all of the treasured items from the Museum into secure storage. Now this is nearing completion, we are now in a position to close the Pomegranate Theatre and move many of our shows into the Winding Wheel while the transformation of the building is carried out.”
Under the plans the refurbished Stephenson Memorial Hall will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.
The work will also protect the Grade 2 listed building and ensure that it remains part of the borough’s heritage for many more generations to come.
Creating a more accessible experience is another key aim of the proposals. The plans include three new lifts which will enable visitors, staff and artists with mobility difficulties to access all parts of the building including the circle seating area and upper museum floors.
Also included in the plans are improvements to lighting, heating, and ventilation.
The project is projected to cost around £17.5 million with £11 million of funding being secured via the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The project received a further funding boost with £695,000 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme which will be used to install a ventilation system in the Pomegranate Theatre auditorium and create a new Changing Places toilet.
Chesterfield Borough Council has received almost £20 million through the Governments Levelling Up fund, the other £8 million will be used to support and enhance the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield Project.
Together this funding will help maintain Chesterfield as a vibrant market town by improving connections across the town centre and enhancing the visitor economy.
