Plans for £3.45m revamp of Ipswich Regent Theatre, in St Helen’s Street, given the go-ahead

A major £3.45m revamp of East Anglia’s largest theatre has been given the go-ahead.

Today, members of Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee met to discuss proposals for the Ipswich Regent Theatre, in St Helen’s Street.

Highlights of the plans included a refurbishment to the entrance canopy influenced by its look when the building first opened in 1929 with an illuminated sign, improved wheelchair access, the crush hall being opened up plus a makeover for the upstairs circle lounge.

The full restoration was given a £3.45 million price tag in July, paid for by increasing tickets above £10 by 20p, taking the existing restoration levy from £1.50 to £1.70.

This was £450,000 more than when it was first proposed last year.

The plans were unanimously approved by councillors.

Cllr Colin Kreidewolf welcomed the plans, particularly its emphasis on equality by improving disabled access.

He said: “It’s wonderful that in such financially challenging times we’re still able to revamp an asset such as this, taking improvements back to when the theatre opened in 1929, which was a brilliant time for construction of civic entertainment.

“It’s a good application addressing issues for equality, not just disabled access. It is important equality is taken seriously and we don't just push it off to the side and that people have proper, fair access. And the equality for female restroom facilities, which have not been good enough, and it’s really pleasing they’re being addressed.

“Upstairs, in the bar facility, it’s a great room but not very welcoming and it’s great it’ll be improved. If you have an audience of 1,500 people, you want to sell alcohol and sweets but a lot of people can't get served. These changes will help sustain building going forward.

“From a quality aspect alone, it should be supported.”

Cllr Lynne Mortimer endorsed the comments of her fellow councillors.

She said: “The Regent has been doing an absolutely fantastic job bringing people into town, booking more first-tier acts, and I can only imagine these changes will bring more of the same.”

Cllr Sam Murray supported all elements laid out in the plans, offering praise to the designers and said they had come up with something ‘truly beautiful’.

She felt the plans were ‘forward thinking’, particularly regarding proposals to add changing places.

As part of the plans, the bar in the crush hall will be removed and replaced with a curved, elongated one, which the theatre hoped would allow it to serve people faster during the pre-show and intervals.

The room would return to a crescent-style shape.

In addition, the stage in the circle bar will be removed, the existing bar will be replaced and the kitchen will be repurposed as a cellar to allow for the installation of a new wheelchair accessible toilet near the new lift.

Bar capacity could be increased to between 1,000 and 1,500 people, or about 450 to 500 per bar.

Cllr Kelvin Cracknell said he was glad the old disabled access was being changed.

He said: “It’s cold and dark and it would be really nice to see that turned into a proper, welcoming entrance.

“I’m really pleased that’s coming.”

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