Skegness theatre expansion plans approved

The main entrance to the Embassy Theatre would be upgraded under the plans

Plans to expand the Embassy Theatre in Skegness have been approved.

A new bar will be installed and the theatre's courtyard and car park will be extended under the scheme.

The auditorium seating will also be upgraded and the stage storage area extended.

The plans, funded by £5m from Arts Council England's Cultural Development Fund, were approved by East Lindsey District Council on Thursday.

The Embassy Theatre, which opened in 1926, is currently operated by Magna Vitae, a charitable trust which provides cultural and leisure facilities in Lincolnshire.

The Arts Council England funding will also be used to transform Skegness Pier, including the construction of a new multi-use amphitheatre space.

The theatre expansion would create four additional full-time jobs, increasing total employment opportunities at the site to 17, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The theatre would be extended to the north with improvements to the courtyard

During the planning meeting, officers described the plans as "fairly contemporary", noting they would enhance the existing Grand Parade building.

Skegness Town Council welcomed the investment but noted that, although it was unable to submit a formal objection, it could not support this "scaled back" version of the plans.

It expressed concern over the removal of a changing places facility and said the cultural aspects of the current application were reduced.

The proposals received unanimous approval from the planning committee.

Brendan Bugg, the theatre's marketing and sales manager, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "It's really exciting to have finally received planning consent. Work can now start in earnest.

"We are renovating areas of the venue that haven't been touched for several years.

"We are installing a new bar, all of the auditorium seating is being replaced for the first time in nearly two decades and therefore people will notice a very enhanced venue."

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