'We need £20k to refurbish our city's last theatre'

Three volunteers refurbishing a city's last remaining theatre are calling for more help and donations to get the job done.

It was hoped that The Kings Theatre in Gloucester would be able to reopen in May, but an audit carried out in March exposed fire safety risks. The venue is now expected to remain closed until 1 September.

Andrew Taylor, chair of the theatre's board of trustees, said the volunteer-run site needed to raise more than £20,000 to fund the necessary work.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the completion of this project and being able to bring the magic back into the building," he said.

The volunteers have so far completed difficult jobs including demolishing the bar and replacing the ceiling in the front of house area.

They now need to install a new fire detection system, new fire doors, staircases leading to the upper floors and an expansion of the bar area.

The theatre now needs various measures to resolve fire safety risks

Mr Taylor described the venue as "a bomb site" but said the team was working hard to meet the September deadline.

"With our funds dwindling, it's looking to be quite difficult to achieve, but we're really, really confident that we can," he said.

He is appealing for more volunteers to join the team of three.

It is hoped the venue will be opened by September

Anybody who is able to help clean, paint or plaster is welcome.

The team is also keen for donations of spare materials, such as timber, screws and plasterboard.

"This project is definitely more than just a lick of paint," Mr Taylor said.

"It's about making the building more accessible, but also it gives us the perfect opportunity to reimagine the space and make the space more functional."