Gilbert Ash picked for £38m Theatr Clwyd job 

Flintshire County Council has appointed the Belfast-based contractor to redevelop the 45-year-old Mold venue. 

Gilbert-Ash, whose other North West projects include the redevelopment of the former Eversheds office in Manchester for Credit Suisse, has signed a contract for the 20-month Theatr Clwyd project. 

The £38m overhaul includes the complete strip-out and refurbishment of the existing buildings and the construction of a timber foyer extension and carpentry workshop.  

A restaurant, bar and café, as well as a meeting room, two rehearsal studios and a green room, also feature within the proposals. 

In addition, work to improve the building’s sustainability credentials also features within the project. The thermal envelope of the building will be improved, and renewable energy sources including PV panels and air source heat pumps utilised to improve energy consumption. 

The project aims to “revitalise the theatre for the next generation and provide a new home for the local community and prevent the much-loved building from possible closure”, according to tender documents. 

A consultation on the scheme, designed by Harworth Tompkins, was held in autumn 2019. Lambert Smith Hampton advised on planning. 

Flintshire granted planning approval for the project in 2020.