Theatre access and seating revamp after £2m award

A theatre will have new, more comfortable seating and better accessibility for people with mobility issues after it was awarded £2.06m in Arts Council England funding.

The Hexagon in Reading, Berkshire, is a critical part of the town's cultural offer but needs renovating to give customers "the best possible experience", Reading Borough Council said.

It added the funding will pay for the complete replacement of its retractable seating system on the auditorium's ground floor and allow better provision for wheelchair users.

Donna Pentelow, the council's director of culture, leisure and skills, said the theatre will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year but is "showing its age in some areas".

Other work will include replacing about 60 internal and external fire doors and improving drainage at the site.

Pentelow said the work will mean the council can "carry out essential upgrades which will benefit customers in many ways and see the much-loved venue continue to operate safely and smoothly for years to come".

The council's policy committee approved upgrades on Monday, with match funding of £230,500.

Had Arts Council England not agreed to the funding, the council would have paid £564,000 to replace the theatre's stalls seating.

The Hexagon's capacity is between about 950 and 1,200 for seated events and about 1,700 for standing concerts.

The council previously secured government funding for the development of the new Studio Theatre, which will provide a 200-seat performance space due to open in spring 2027.