our £20 million re-development
• A 240-seat studio theatre
• An enhanced Forum Theatre
• Improved access from Priory Park
• Two new workshop spaces for more classes and workshops
• A recording studio
• An outdoor amphitheatre overlooking Priory Park malvern theatres
Malvern Theatres is undergoing a major £20 million re-development. This development on the south-east, Priory Park side of the building will add a 240-seat studio theatre to the venue’s four existing auditoria. Beneath this studio, at park level will be two additional studios for classes and workshops. The re-development will also improve access to the building from Priory Park and enhance the existing Forum Theatre, making it more comfortable and more accessible. An outdoor amphitheatre will also be built overlooking Priory Park, with capacity to seat 100 people.
The project has a number of core aims: to increase community use of the theatres, to provide opportunities for participation in the arts, to promote well-being and to enrich the programme with a greater range of shows on offer. In particular, the 240-seat studio will be ideal for work that demands a smaller-scale, more intimate performing environment than our existing 800-seat venues can provide. The completed building will have six seated venues in total and will comprise almost 2500 seats. The new building is scheduled for completion in autumn 2027 and once open, will be one of the largest multi-venue arts centres under a single roof in Europe.
The theatre is committed to remaining open during the build and the Festival Theatre, Cinema and Studio One as well as the café, restaurant and bars will all operate at maximum capacity. The Forum Theatre will be closed during the build but many of the shows which usually perform in that space will be programmed in the Festival Theatre instead. Nor will the usual entrance from Priory Park be operational during the build, although a temporary side entrance is being created for those entering the building from Priory Park.
For further information and regular updates, please see our website (malvern-theatres.co.uk), our social media channels or call the box office on 01684 892277.
Grange
Grange Road
Q. What is the aim of this redevelopment?
A. To create a world-class facility that can stage a wider range of live events, film screenings, classes and workshops, attracting more visitors and boosting the local economy by £11m annually.
The new building will be on the Priory Park side of the existing theatre. It will consist of 240-seat studio theatre, an enhanced Forum Theatre, two workshops spaces, and an amphitheatre overlooking Priory Park. The new venues will allow the theatre to broaden its programme. They will be ideal for community work and for smaller-scale work less suited to the theatre’s larger 800-seat venues. The new workshop spaces will promote well-being and opportunity by increasing participation in the arts.
The development is projected to generate hundreds of construction jobs, boost the local economy and establish Malvern as a destination for world-class performing arts, serving audiences for generations to come.
Q. Will access to the building be improved?
A. Yes. A new entrance will be built on the Priory Park side of the theatre. This will feature a new lift from park level to all levels of the theatre as well as better-spaced steps, additional handrails, upgraded lighting all improving access from Priory Park. The Forum Theatre will also be improved, making it more accessible and improving comfort and seating position for wheelchair users.
Q. Hasn’t there already been work done to the theatre?
A. Yes. Phase one of the theatre’s redevelopment saw the creation of a new entrance on the theatre’s west side, improving access from Grange Road. Completed in July 2023, this phase saw the addition of a ‘Changing Places’ facility and the creation of a new studio theatre, Studio One, which hosts a regular programme of classes and workshops (20+ each week) as well as live performances, film screenings and rehearsals. More than 23,000 people have already used Studio One.
Q. Who is funding this project?
A. The project is backed by £20 million from the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, formerly the Levelling Up Fund. The money was allocated following a rigorous nationwide bidding process and has been ring-fenced by the Government specifically for use in the theatre redevelopment. If the funding isn’t spent on this project it will have to be handed back to Government.
Q. Who is involved in the project?
A. Malvern Theatres is operated by the charitable body Malvern Theatres Trust with the building on a long-term lease from Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC).
The project is being led by MHDC and funded by central government. The designs have been done by renowned theatre architect Burrell Foley Fischer and the main contractors are the Malvern-based Speller Metcalfe.
Q. Will the theatre remain open throughout the development?
A. Yes. The Festival Theatre, Cinema and Studio One will remain fully operational throughout the works. The Forum Theatre will be closed but many of the events that usually happened there will take place in the Festival Theatre instead.
Q. How long will the project take?
A. The project will take around 21 months and the new building is scheduled to open in late 2027.
Q. How will I get to the theatre whilst the works are going on?
A. Entry to the theatre will be via the main door at the front of the theatre on Grange Road. The existing Priory Park entrance will not be available during the build, although people coming to the theatre from the Priory Park side will be able to enter via a specially created entrance at the side of the theatre. This will be clearly marked from Priory Park.
As is the case now, wheelchair users and those with access requirements are best coming into the theatre through the Grange Road entrance, where there is a drop-off lay-by and a ramp.
Q. Will parking be affected?
A. All town centre car parks will operate as usual except for Grange Road North Car Park, which will be closed until October 2027 to provide site welfare, compound and parking for the contractors. This is a loss of 18 spaces, there are still 274 spaces available in Malvern town centre car parks available to use.
Q. Where can I park when I visit the theatre?
A. There are ten council-owned car parks available to use in Great Malvern, please see the MHDC Car Park webpage for more information. There is also on-street parking available.
The closest car parks to Malvern Theatres are:
• Grange Road South Car Park (Long-Stay)
• Priory Road North and South Car Parks (Long-Stay)
• Victoria Road Car Park (Long-Stay)
• Waitrose Car Park is available from 6.30pm onwards
Q. Will part of the park be closed off?
A. Areas of the park closest to the Theatre will be closed throughout the contract period. A large proportion of the park, including the play area, will remain open, with clearly signposted alternative access routes.
