Historic Halifax theatre's revamp plans 'to stand at the centre of the Calderdale cultural scene'

A planning application has been submitted to Calderdale Council which says further revamp measures are needed for the theatre “to stand at the centre of the Calderdale cultural scene and remain viable in the present day”.

Proposals include stripping out and replacing “outdated” fittings and finishes in the Green Room Bar and kitchen.

As previously reported by the Courier, the government's Future High Streets Fund paid for a recent make over of the Grade II-listed building which included a new box office, bar and cafe, and the installation of three new lifts.

A heritage statement submitted with this request says the theatre team wants to continue restoring and updating other parts of the building that are “looking tired”.

"The theatre team are also looking forward to opening up another bar on the balcony floor in order to increase revenue,” says the statement.

"The works aim to increase footfall into the theatre by improving accessibility and offering both a intermission bar and an events space.

"The works also look to improve the supporting facilities for artistes, ensuring the theatre is a more attractive place for a high-calibre national and international artistes to choose to perform at.

"There is a strong desire from the theatre’s management team and Calderdale Council, through careful forward planning, that this building is reinvigorated and remains at the heart of the Halifax cultural scene for future generations.”

A previous application for the refit of the green room bar was submitted and approved which has seen raised seating areas removed and temporarily re-carpeted.

But the heritage statement says the theatre team have reassessed the submission and “with a slightly increased budget, feel that the scope of the works needed to change from what was previously approved”.

This now includes a complete strip out of the existing bar and the relocation of the heating units, along with the introduction of “more ornate decorative pieces to the space”.

The statement adds: “The aim of these proposals is to make the building a dynamic and sustainable facility that serves the theatre communities needs in as many ways as possible.

"The green room bar is part of a wider goal of the theatre team to revitalise the building and meet the changing demands of potential events.”

What is now named the Victoria Theatre opened in 1901 as the Victoria Hall.

In 1972, the theatre was renamed The Halifax Civic Theatre and many residents still know the theatre as ‘The Civic’.