Curtain rises on renovation for Shakespeare theatre

Guildhall creative director Tim FitzHigham hopes the theatre complex will attract visitors from around the world

A 600-year-old theatre, believed to have once hosted Shakespeare, is to undergo an ambitious restoration.

St George’s Guildhall, in King's Lynn, Norfolk, is the only working theatre with credible claims that the Bard himself treaded its boards.

The council team behind the £20m renovation says it will create "a thriving creative campus for the town".

Critics worry about the impact works will have on the historic building.

St George's Guildhall is the country's oldest working theatre

West Norfolk Council's renovation plans are being led by the Guildhall creative director, Tim FitzHigham.

He said getting planning permission was a big step forward for the project.

'Next 600 years'

"It was a very detailed piece of work with over 225 supporting documents, some running to over a thousand pages," he said.

"There's a massive amount of research that we've done to make the planners have faith that we know what we're doing with this building.

"We don't want to make mistakes. We want to look after it for the next 600 years."

The multi-million-pound project will restore the Grade I listed National Trust building and its surroundings to enhance the site’s historic significance and ensure its long-term prospects.

There are plans for a new café-bar, workshop and exhibition space, as well as a major update for the currently closed riverside restaurant.

It is hoped the new theatre and visitors centre will open in January 2027.

Renovation work so far has already uncovered exciting connections to William Shakespeare, including this original floor

The renovation seeks to highlight and preserve the building's Elizabethan heritage.

Medieval wooden floorboards believed to have been trodden on by Shakespeare will remain where they are and be viewable through special hatches.

Historic England has supported the application but has raised concerns about the impact on the historic features of the building when the new stage wings and seats are installed.

They have called on the developers to minimise the risk of harm posed by the renovation.

The planning application was approved with conditions that the work would start within three years and that measures would be taken to minimise the disruption to neighbours.