£20m Malvern Theatre plans given go-ahead by councillors

But concerns remain over parking and whether creating a bigger auditorium should have been the priority.

Work at Malvern Theatres will include the creation of a 240-seat auditorium and essential upgrades to the Priory Park entrance, including a new elevator.

The auditorium plans will allow the theatre to do new and different types of work, including more community theatre, as well as additional classes and workshops. 

DESIGN: An amphitheatre forms part of the new plans (Image: Burrell Foley Fischer)

Thanks to the improved park-side entrance, which will feature better spaced stairs, additional handrails and upgraded lighting, accessibility from the park to the theatre will be greatly improved.

Work is due to start in summer 2025 and the theatre will remain open throughout the build, with the Festival Theatre, Cinema and Studio One all operating as normal.

The project, which is being funded by a £20m Levelling Up grant, forms phase two of the transformation of the theatre, Phase one was completed in July 2023 and saw the opening of a new entrance onto Grange Road, an accessible performance space and a Changing Places toilet.

Cllr John Gallagher, portfolio holder for resources at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “With Phase One of the project completed, we are excited to see that Phase Two will go ahead.

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“This will mean further investment in this wonderful facility which will expand access to the arts, improve wellbeing, increase education and employment opportunities, as well as provide a boost to the tourism and economy within the area.”

Fred Moroni, executive director of Malvern Theatres, said the project will “transform Malvern Theatres into a nationally significant centre of excellence for the arts”.

“We look forward to welcoming even more people for workshops and classes, as well as hosting community theatre in the new purpose-built auditorium,” he said.

Speaking at the southern area planning meeting on Wednesday (November 20), Mr Moroni said the theatre contributed £25m a year to Malvern’s economy.

Cllr Cynthia Palmer said Malvern Theatres is “the jewel in Malvern’s crown” and without it Malvern would be “just a small Victorian town for visitors to the hills”.

Chris Bassett, executive trustee of the Coach House Theatre, told councillors at Wednesday’s meeting said trustees were worried about the amount of additional parking that would be required.

“If Malvern Theatres are as successful as they say they are going to be, attracting another 135,000 people to the theatre, then it’s very difficult to see that more car parking space will not be required,” he said.

Cllr Paul Bennett said: “I see this as a lost opportunity. This was a chance to upgrade one of the major theatres and the cinema, which is not being touched, to make sure those facilities are being kept up-to-date.

“Creating a jigsaw of smaller venues when you're competing with other venues of that size in the region is economically mad. We needed a bigger theatre - that is the way you bring bigger acts here.”