Work restarts on stalled Telford theatre rebuild

Main contractors Bowmer + Kirkland will move onto a £21m theatre site next week, around a year after the project was delayed by unexpected structural issues.

Initial plans put forward by Telford & Wrekin Council included the partial demolition of Telford Theatre in Oakengates, alongside refurbishment of a two-storey section of the theatre fronting onto Limes Walk.

But the site fell silent after site surveys revealed the retained section was “structurally unsound”, leading to fresh plans being submitted last year – which included the total demolition of the building.

Now, the authority says it’s ready to crack on with the updated project, with contractors ready to move onto site on Monday, 9 November.

The amended proposals include a new-look entrance foyer and box office, larger community and rehearsal spaces, bigger bar areas and additional toilet facilities. The eventual capacity of the rebuilt theatre will be set at 766, an expansion of around 150 seats.

In an upbeat assessment submitted with the revised plans, the authority said the need to pursue site-wide demolition had led to the theatre being “reconceived as a single, coherent architectural composition” rather than a combination of retained and new-build elements, which it said had resulted in a “clearer design language, improved legibility and a stronger civic identity”.

Despite the delays and re-work of the scheme, Telford & Wrekin Council said in a response to Place Midlands that costs had not risen from the original £21m budget, which was supported with a £15.5m government grant in 2024.

“We are delighted that the upgraded plans for the new theatre have now been approved enabling the remainder of the demolition works to begin, which in turn will pave the way for the new theatre rebuilding project,” said Cllr Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council leader.

“Telford Theatre is an eagerly anticipated project throughout the Oakengates and wider community and it’s one of our biggest investment projects across the Borough.

“This new theatre design, which is even more exciting than the previous plans, will attract visitors from far-and-wide and drive more footfall to Oakengates Town Centre.”

Bond Bryan Architects created designs for the project, while Bowmer + Kirkland were appointed to deliver the scheme in August.

Plans and documents relating to the project can be found on Telford & Wrekin’s planning portal using reference: TWC/2026/0608