Comfier seats installed in theatre's £300k revamp

A much-loved Victorian theatre has said the £300,000 transformation of its top gallery tier would provide audiences with "21st Century comfort".

Designed by Frank Matcham - one of Britain's most renowned theatre architects - the Grade II* listed Grand Theatre Blackpool was built in 1894.

The renovation project has seen 301 original wooden bench seats replaced with 216 individual seats - each with a back and armrests - as well as improved accessibility and the restoration after 10 years of the gallery bar.

Adam Knight, the theatre's chief executive, said the revamp would give audiences "a much more comfortable experience while bringing a long-neglected part of the theatre back to life".

The National Lottery Heritage Fund provided £250,000 towards the project, which is the second phase of the theatre's major refurbishment.

The Friends of the Grand have contributed the remaining £50,000.

The completion of the renovation work marks the long-awaited ambition to improve the gallery, which accounts for almost a third of the theatre's seating.

During the auditorium restoration in 2002, plans to improve the gallery were unable to go ahead due to a lack of funding.

A temporary solution was introduced, with cushioned pads added to the original wooden benches.

They remained in place for more than two decades, though, offering cramped seating without backs or armrests and making the gallery an increasingly unpopular choice for modern audiences.

Knight said: "We're delighted to have completed this important refurbishment, giving audiences a much more comfortable experience while bringing a long-neglected part of the theatre back to life.

"We've been careful to preserve the heritage and original character of Frank Matcham's design, while reusing materials wherever possible."

Original tiering, handrails and sightlines have been restored, while carpets have been removed to reveal the floorboards beneath, which have been stained and varnished to reflect their original appearance.

Alongside the seating improvements, the auditorium stairs have been rebuilt to reflect the reduced number of seating tiers, while walkways have been widened to meet current safety standards.

Demountable seating has also been installed in the slips, which can be removed to create wheelchair spaces when lift access becomes available as part of a future phase of the theatre's wider renovation.

Environmental considerations have been built into the refurbishment, with original materials being retained and repurposed.

The gallery's original floorboards have been used as kickboards and the countertop in the refurbished gallery bar.

Helen Featherstone, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We're thrilled that thanks to National Lottery players, the Grade II* listed Blackpool Grand Theatre can now offer audiences a more comfortable experience while showcasing the stunning Matcham architecture and heritage details."

Last year, the first phase of the refurbishment saw a £500,000 programme of external repairs, supported by Arts Council England.

The next phase of the masterplan will focus on incorporating the row of shops along the Church Street side of the theatre and creating a new cafe-bar, with lift access to all levels of the auditorium and further accessibility improvements.

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