A multi-million pound project to transform Tamworth Assembly Rooms into a modern theatre fit for 21st century audiences is underway.

You may have been wandering past The Assems’ or perhaps catching a bus outside over the past year and wondered what has been happening beyond its iconic façade? To prepare the building for its £4.8m makeover, essential internal surveys and investigative works needed to take place. This didn’t make incredibly interesting blog worthy content; although we did find some interesting items and writings on the wall along the way which you can read about in previous entries.

Now that these works have taken place its exciting times as we are now entering the construction phase of the project with the appointment of Novus Property Solutions; an award-winning company based in Stoke-on-Trent with a history spanning back almost as long as the Assembly Rooms itself. They will be responsible for the refurbishment and extension of the Assembly Rooms.

Their task includes modernising and extending the building including; the creation of a café bar and exhibition space, a new box office, glazed double doors at the front and a brand new glass extension on the side of the building. The theatre’s windows which have been covered over for a number of years – will be opened up to allow natural light into the auditorium and to complement the new glass frontage to Corporation Street.
Accessibility will be enhanced with a new access ramp outside and an improved layout throughout and the current tiered seating will be replaced with new state-of-the-art retractable seating to create a contemporary and flexible theatre space. Back stage areas will be improved for performers and the building will be decorated throughout. Although the theatre is being significantly refurbished and updated, its ornate historic features will be conserved.

The construction phase is expected to take around 14 months and this will be followed by further internal and technical work. If all goes to plan, the theatre should reopen during 2019, but further updates will be issued as the project progresses. We look forward to sharing the journey with you! Follow our blog to find out the latest developments and insights.