Feilden Clegg Bradley wins Octagon brief

Octagon Theatre has named the team advising on the £10m redevelopment of its venue in Bolton, appointing architect Feilden Clegg Bradley to lead the scheme.

Willmott Dixon has been chosen as contractor, joined by Gardiner & Theobald as project manager and Charcoal Blue as theatre consultant.

The theatre, which opened in 1967 and has seen various extensions and refurbishments, is seen as no longer fit for purpose.

The plans for redevelopment, first announced in January 2015, focus on modernising and enlarging the building to improve accessibility and accommodation for the theatre’s on and off-stage projects.

The scheme is expected to take three years to complete. The redevelopment has received £4m in arts council funding, and further funding pledges from Bolton Council. A fundraising campaign led by the Octagon Theatre, which is a registered charity, is ongoing to secure the total £10m needed.

Ernst ter Horst, architect at FCB, said: “We have been captivated by the passion of the Octagon’s creative team, who lead unique theatre performances and have established a positive social and cultural role within the local area.

“There is a real potential to redefine the Octagon’s expression, build on and improve the experiences within, whilst expanding and modernising the compromised support facilities. We very much look forward to contributing to the next step in the flourishing regeneration of Bolton centre with our local team.”