Worcester City Council leader 'thrilled' by work progress on city's new arts centre
Construction to turn the historic former Scala cinema started in January and is on track to be completed by next year
Progress on work to create a new arts and entertainment centre in Worcester is making it all feel 'real', says Worcester City Council's leader.
Construction to transform the Scala - a historic former cinema - was started in January by Malvern-based company Speller Metcalfe.
Bosses confirmed last month the multi-million project is “currently on track” to be completed for when it's due to open in the autumn of 2026.
The council say the project will see the renovation of the building in Angel Place, which opened as a cinema in 1922 before closing in June 1973, host live performance events alongside independent film, visual arts, and a wide range of participation-based creative activities.
Council leader Labour's Lynn Denham says it's good to see the progress being made.
"Absolutely thrilled, its sort of been a long time talking about it and it is absolutely becoming real," she said.
"When the scaffolding went up and the builders actually went in that is very, very real and seeing a recent video of looking inside the Scala and the building people can see what a fantastic building it is.
"It's a beautiful building and I think we are going to get a beautiful building back, with some really interesting activities planned within it."
Planning permission for the scheme was approved back in March 2024 with the renovation being made possible by a share of the £17.9m grant that Worcester City Council secured from the previous Government’s Future High Street Fund.