The Swan Theatre is set to benefit from Worcester’s £5 million Levelling Up boost.

Details of projects that were considered for funding but missed out have also been revealed.

A list of heritage and cultural projects that could be funded by the grant was published last week by the city council.

These included education centres at two city museums, improvements in Gheluvelt and Cripplegate parks and a new Battle of Worcester sculpture.

An updated list now includes a proposal to invest in accessibility improvements at the Swan Theatre, including the installation of a new lift, an accessible toilet and changing places facility, as well as improvements to the foyer.

According to documents going before tonight’s (Tuesday, April 23) Policy and Resources Committee, £155,000 of the Levelling Up cash would be allocated alongside £45,000 from Worcester Theatres.

Council officers said the improvements would result in “increased numbers of participants and audiences” as well as “improved diversity of the demographics of visitors and audiences to the Swan Theatre”.

In order to fund the theatre scheme, the council is planning to invest £745,000 in turning Pitchcroft into a sustainable events venue, as opposed to the £900,000 it suggested last week.

Committee papers also show the projects that were considered but have not been recommended to be part of the Levelling Up plan, which has to be submitted to the government by May 10.

These include a refurbished Nunnery athletics track, which wouldn’t have met the cultural and heritage funding criteria.

A floating pontoon at South Quay suitable for commercial river boat trips was considered but as no feasibility studies or costings have been done, it was felt this was undeliverable by the deadline of March 2026.

The creation of a £1m arts centre at the Shambles was discussed but without designs and feasibility work, officers say there would have been a significant risk of overspending.

The council looked at revamping the first floor of the Pump House in Gheluvelt Park but will soon be seeking a new tenant for the cafe and does not want to compromise the operation of that business.

It also considered using one of the Arches for archive storage but the damp conditions would not be suitable and this would need ongoing revenue funding.