Theatre rebuild could be expanded

Plans to redevelop a theatre have been revised and extended after a reassessment of the site.

Telford and Wrekin Council said Telford Theatre would have a new-look entrance foyer and box office, larger community and rehearsal spaces, bigger bar areas and additional toilet facilities.

The authority said the space was looked at again following the demolition of the previous theatre on the Oakengates site and it revealed there was extra space to expand into.

The revised plans have been submitted and a contractor has been appointed, with the aim of starting construction work in the autumn.

The previous theatre was built in the 1960s and the council said it needed replacing because it was "suffering from significant structural defects as well as reaching the end of its building life".

The new theatre will include a 766-seat main auditorium and a separate studio theatre for community groups and smaller acts.

There will also be a new community art room, foyer, dining area, bar areas and modernised backstage facilities.

The council said it expected the new theatre to attract roughly 100,000 visitors across 300 shows annually during its anticipated 60-year life span and described the rebuild as one of its biggest projects.

It is part of a wider regeneration of the Oakengates area with refurbished shops and a paved events area outside the theatre.

The authority also urged people to continue supporting the shops in the area and said they would remain open during the regeneration work.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.