Weston-super-Mare Town Council

Media Release - Blakehay Theatre Refurbishment

Weston-super-Mare Town Council has approved a £200,000 scheme for major improvement work at the 200 seat Blakehay Theatre on Wadham Street at its meeting on Monday 18th January. The works are to include: . improvements to the foyer, . new ladies and gents toilets, . refurbishment of the cafe bar, . improved storage facilities and . a flexible upper arts studio At the same time, maintenance works will be included. The roof will be comprehensively repaired and improvements made to the ventilation and drainage of the building. Financial provision for the work has been made within the Town Council's budget for 2010/11 with careful budgeting meaning the scheme can be implemented without the need for borrowing. Tenders will be sought shortly and the work will be carried out in stages between May and August to enable the Blakehay to stay open during the works. The Town Clerk, Malcolm Nicholson said "The Town Council voted unanimously in favour of the proposals which will make the Theatre a more attractive and comfortable venue for community arts. This scheme will get the Theatre in good shape for the next 20 years." The Blakehay Theatre is currently used by a number of community arts groups such as the RAFA Band, Weston Youth Orchestra, and TENONS as well as Weston College for theatrical, operatic and musical performances. The Theatre's own in house company, the Blakehay Players, put on regular productions, the next being "Food for Thought", three short plays with a common theme, on 27th and 28th January