Action Transport Theatre hopes to open its new space this summer. Credit: via Equans

Construction on Ellesmere Port’s Whitby Hall completes

Equans has finished work on the £2.3m scheme, which expanded the historic hall and created a theatre for young people.

The project involved the demolition of a mid-1960s extension to the Victorian house, which had fallen into disrepair.

The new, larger extension is timbre-framed and can hold up to 200 people. Now the home of Action Transport Theatre, the refurbished Whitby Hall within Whitby Park also has a series of spaces for the community to enjoy, including a café, terrace and workshops.

Equans work also included constructing a new roof, adding new windows and flooring, and reconfiguring the hall’s layout. Equans added a natural ventilation system below the theatre and conducted a full mechanical and electrical refit of the property to make it more energy-efficient.

Bennetts Associates conducted the concept architecture for the space. Cassidy and Ashton was the architectural delivery partner.

Now that Equans has finished with the construction, Stage Electrics & Audience Systems and interior designer Hannah Wehbeh will begin the fit-out of the space ahead of the theatre’s opening this summer.

Arts Council England Cheshire West and Chester Council provided funds for the project.

Nina Hajiyianni, chief executive at Action Transport Theatre, said: “We are delighted with the incredible transformation of Whitby Hall, the historic and much-loved building has been given a new lease of life and we are extremely grateful to the council for their investment into arts and culture.

“Our new venue will be the only purpose-built, dedicated theatre for children and young people in Cheshire, on Merseyside and one of a small number across England. We look forward to welcoming local and regional participants and audiences through our doors this summer.”

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we have 9 empty office blocks in Birkenhead and Wallasey plus 2 town halls —why not make something like this in them.

By patrick terence ogorman

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