Grosvenor Park open air theatre returns

Cheshire West & Chester Council has provided £150,000 towards the return of an open air theatre in Grosvenor Park in Chester.

The council said the open air arena will provide a boost to the local economy, after 5,765 theatre goers attended a programme of plays at a purpose built theatre in the summer last year.

The council added that Chester-based architects Lovelock Mitchell designed a 350-seat structure to be easily dismantled, stored, and re-used.

The "horseshoe shaped" theatre has terrace seats surrounding the stage and a picnic area in the front for audiences.

Cllr Richard Short, executive member for culture and recreation, said: "We are targeting around 7,500 people during the seven-week season which, if achieved, would mean an estimated £1.5m to local businesses."

Produced by arts organisation Chester Performs in partnership with the council, the programme will have an estimated 58 performances compared to last year's 29 over a three-week period.

The programme of plays will run from 7 July until 21 August.