Mercury Theatre Colchester Applies for Major Arts Council Award to Rebuild

The Mercury Theatre is announcing an £8.8m plan to redevelop its buildings and site, improving and extending audience and production facilities whilst also creating a learning and participation centre that will help to extend its educational and community work. All areas of the building will be fully accessible for the first time. If the project is successful, the new facilities would open in 2020.

The project has got off to a flying start today with an invitation from Arts Council England to apply for £3.5m from its large capital funding programme, and an immediate grant of £478,000 to support development of the plan. The Mercury has successfully passed the first stage of applications to the large capital fund, and was one of only 16 organisations in England to do so.

Under the plans, the Front of House area will be rebuilt and extended, introducing an all-day café bar and creative space. Rehearsal rooms, currently housed in town centre office accommodation, will be replaced with purpose-built and fully accessible facilities. New highly visible on-site spaces for learning and participation work and community use will also be introduced. The Mercury's workshop and wardrobe facilities - already unique in East Anglia - will be improved.

Subject to public consultation and planning permission, new pedestrian routes will be introduced to connect local historical and cultural offers, floor-to-ceiling glazing will provide new views into the workings of the building, and new piazza style public areas will offer dining and performance spaces.

The Mercury is hopeful that, subject to a formal decision, Colchester Borough Council will manage the build and will provide £1m of match funding.

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