Theatre looking ahead to next act as funds agreed

A MAJOR redevelopment of England's most northerly theatre has taken a step forward after funding proposals were agreed by leading councillors in Northumberland.

- JAMES ROBINSON

The revamp of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick is expected to cost more than £28m.

Most of the cash is coming from government via the Borderlands Deal. However, Northumberland County Council's cabinet has agreed to put forward an additional £500,000 for the Maltings project, bringing the total contribution from the local authority to £2.84m.

While the Maltings is redeveloped, the venue will temporarily relocate to the Berwick Barracks site, using the Mob Store and Gymnasium buildings. The barracks are undergoing improvement works to bring them into a "more productive" use, with work on the Mob Store already completed and the site in use as a temporary cinema.

The Gymnasium is currently used by The Maltings Trust as a gallery space during the summer, but work is set to be carried out to make the building warmer and suitable for year-round use.