Theatre redevelopment to start in new year

The council said the majority of the existing theatre would be rebuilt

Work to redevelop Telford Theatre in Oakengates will start in the new year after councillors approved a major upgrade.

Telford and Wrekin Council had applied to its own planning committee to enlarge the existing auditorium at the building on Limes Walk and also create a new, smaller studio theatre.

There will also be work to modernise the backstage facilities and transform the foyer, bar and dining area.

The theatre closed in the spring to allow preparation work to begin and the council said the majority of the venue would be completely rebuilt.

The authority has received £15.5m from the government to help fund the work, which it said would cut the venue's carbon footprint by 90%.

Angela McClements, the councillor responsible for Leisure, Tourism, Culture and the Arts, said the new theatre would make Oakengates "a more exciting and vibrant place to be and boost the local economy, as well as reducing the theatre's carbon footprint considerably".

The theatre redevelopment is part of a wider project in Oakengates which will also see its shopping precinct modernised.

The first businesses returned to the units there in October.