Corn Exchange £100,000 refurb plans unveiled
Newbury's theatre will make range of improvements designed to enhance visitor experience
AMBITIOUS plans to help secure the future of Newbury’s Corn Exchange have been unveiled.
As it battles with a reduction in local authority funding, the theatre has released details of a £100,000 refurbishment, which will see a range of improvements made to the building.
The work will include integrating the downstairs bar and box office so staff can split their time between both in a more effective manner.
As part of the refurbishment, the upstairs balcony bar will be repositioned to align with the downstairs bar and the existing ticket office will be demolished, as will the office behind it, to create a bigger and more inviting foyer to greet visitors.
The plans will also involve replacing the glass backing of the existing staircase with a hard wooden banister and creating a mural downstairs.
For the latter, the theatre is hoping to enlist the services of British designer Alex Fowkes, whose work has appeared in Urban Outfitters shops and office spaces for Sony Music.
The refurbishment is scheduled to take place over six weeks from July 25 to September 4, between 8am and 5pm. The building will be open throughout the works, but entry will be via a side entrance.
People will not be able to visit the box office in person, so will instead have to book online or by phone, although the theatre said those who purchase tickets over the phone will not have to pay a booking fee.
The Corn Exchange’s regular Memory Café, for people living with dementia, will still take place on July 27 and August 24, but at the nearby West Berkshire Museum.
The theatre is currently working with APT design on the plans and hopes to unveil its new look to the public on September 6.
The theatre’s interim director Grant Brisland said: “Although spaces have been well looked after for many years, there are parts of the building that are looking tired and we wanted to renew and refresh the space as part of the launch of the café from the autumn.
“One of the big challenges we face at the moment is there is not enough space downstairs. We want to create more space to improve visitor experience.
“We had a really successful year last year and we are re-investing that money back into the organisation to secure a better future.
“It will celebrate the building’s heritage and give us the opportunity to use this as the next stage in the arts centre development, while creating a better ambience for all.”
As part of its plan to make £11m in savings, West Berkshire Council voted to reduce the Corn Exchange’s funding by 45 per cent – from £378,000 to £208,000 a year from 2018.