Additional funds allocated for work to create Worcester's new arts centre
Over half a million has been approved towards the refurbishment of the Scala Theatre
Work on a 'flagship project' to create a new arts centre in Worcester has received extra funding to get it over the line after it encountered unforeseen costs.
Another £590,000 has been approved by Worcester City Council’s policy and resources committee to the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Scala Theatre.
£40,000 is set to be for public realm work in Angel Place along with a £200,000 contingency budget to cover any extra costs encountered next year.
The unforeseen costs include an increase in National Insurance employer contributions and additional fire safety measures needed after new legislation came into effect, leading to the extra funds being required.
Managing director David Blake said: “There has not been an overspend on the original budget.
“We’ve faced additional costs such as fire stopping because of the new legislation.
“£350,000 would give us just enough but we don’t want to come back again.”
He added that the council had looked at “every opportunity for alternative funding”.
Construction to transform the Scala - a historic former cinema - was started in January by Malvern-based company Speller Metcalfe.
Members of the council's policy and resources committee were told earlier this month the work is on track to be completed on time for its scheduled opening in October 2026 and the extra over half a million can be funded by revenue underspends.
Head of property Kevin Moore said construction work was going according to plan and following the repair of the Scala’s roof, attention is now shifting to the building’s interior.
Councillor Pat Agar said it had been an emotional journey “getting the building back not to its former glory, but to a new glory”, adding: “It’s a flagship project for us.”
The council’s corporate director for finance and resources, Rachel Cooper, said the Scala project came to £16.2 million in total, with more than £12.5m coming from the Government’s Future High Street Fund grant programme.