Planning permission granted for new arts venue

An artist's impression of what the Scala Theatre in Worcester could look like

Planning permission has been granted to create a new multi-purpose arts venue in Worcester.

Worcester City Council’s planning committee unanimously granted permission for the full redesign and internal refurbishment of the Scala and Corn Exchange buildings in Angel Street.

Once completed, the new venue will be home to three multi-use spaces, currently named The Stage, The Screen, and The Box, as well as a cafe that can provide additional performance space.

The city council's managing director, David Blake, has called the proposed new venue "an important milestone".

He said the new venue would "attract new audiences and allow creative communities to thrive" in Worcester.

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council added: "The decision is a significant step forward for the ambitious plans to create a new destination for Worcester."

The project has been funded by part of the government’s Future High Streets Fund.