Victoria Theatre - Halifax Future High Streets

Key details

Through UK Government funding, we're enhancing the iconic Grade II listed Victoria Theatre so that more people can enjoy all that this venue has to offer. We’re improving accessibility, making it easier to get into the theatre, and creating a new food and beverage offer. This will encourage greater daytime use, opening the theatre to different customers who may not have visited before.

Current status

Concept Completed
Development Completed
Construction In Progress
Evaluation Pending

Plans

We are making several improvements to enhance the experience of visitors to Victoria Theatre, these plans include:

A new box office

We’re relocating the box office to Commercial Street. The new box office will have its own independent opening hours where people can call or visit in person for tickets and booking information.

Improved access

We’re installing a lift in the new box office (on Commercial Street) to take visitors with accessibility requirements up to the Circle Level Bar. This is a key milestone in the theatre's history that will make it easier for people to access and use this area. We're also fitting a platform lift to take visitors the from the theatre foyer to the auditorium. 

Bar and café

We’re upgrading the foyer (where the current box office is) with a brand-new café bar. This will:

  • Create opportunities to hold small and intimate performances.
  • Provide a new food and drink offer.
  • Enhance the experience of visitors to Victoria Theatre.

Accessible toilets

We’re installing two accessible toilets; one in the new café bar area and one at the Circle Level.

Benefits

Economic Growth

We’re creating opportunities for Halifax high street to grow and thrive. These changes will enhance Halifax town centre and aim to increase the number of visitors.

Visitor Economy

These changes will boost Victoria Theatre’s daytime offer and provide theatregoers with the opportunity for pre-show dining.  

Accessibility

We’re making the theatre more accessible, making it easier for more people to visit and enjoy all that Victoria Theatre has to offer.

Community

We’re creating a place where people can come together to enjoy food and drink in a wonderful setting.

Culture

We’re making changes that will encourage more diverse audiences and performances to this iconic venue.  

Progress

October 2024

Improved access takes centre stage as work progresses at The Victoria Theatre. All structural changes are complete and three new lifts have been installed including:

  • a passenger lift between the new box office and circle level;
  • a stairlift at circle level providing access to the Circle Bar;
  • and a platform lift for access between the foyer and the stalls.

Two new accessible toilets have been fitted, one at circle level and one in the new café bar area. These changes will make it easier for people with accessibility requirements to visit the theatre. 

Work to create the new café bar and the box office is underway with plumbing, heating and electrics being installed. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The theatre will then begin preparations for opening the new spaces and facilities. 

March 2024

Work is progressing to enhance The Victoria Theatre with a key milestone reached. Structural work linking the foyer with the old box office and vacant retail unit to create a new café bar is complete. 

New openings have been created with supporting lintels installed. 

Photograph of one of the new openings with a lintel installed and temporary supports.

December 2023

Morris and Spottiswood have been appointed to carry out the work to enhance Victoria Theatre. Work on site has now started and will initially focus on creating the new box office (formerly the Ivor Burns shoe shop) on Commercial Street.

Victoria Theatre will be open as normal throughout the renovations.

June 2023

Following planning approval, the tender process has begun to appoint a contractor

Funding

Approximate scheme value: £1.80M.

This project was made possible through funding from:

  • Funded by UK Government