Hertford Theatre Development, Hertfordshire Leisure and Arts Development, English Building Project
Hertford Theatre in Hertfordshire
6 Apr 2021
Hertford Theatre Development
Architects: Bennetts Associates
Location: Hertfordshire, England, UK
The plans for the Growth and Legacy Project at Hertford Theatre were approved last night by East Herts Council’s Development Management Committee.
Hertford Theatre will be redeveloped with an investment of £19.9m, which will enable first release cinema to be screened across three bespoke cinema screens, a brand new studio auditorium for smaller live acts and performances, a plaza-style foyer with riverside café-bar and an increased main auditorium space for larger productions.
The Growth & Legacy scheme will make Hertford Theatre a beacon of sustainability for the County and also across the national arts sector.
Improved integration with the surrounding historical area will uncover the Motte and allow our community to understand the local history, along with two hireable community spaces and improved access to all areas of the building.
Rhys Thomas, director of Hertford Theatre said, “Throughout the health crisis over the last year, the one thing that has been even more crucial and evident is a need to hold on to a sense of community. The improvement works will ensure that Hertford Theatre can meet demand and will sustainably stand the test of time.
“The theatre is such a hub, in the middle of Hertford town and so well used by many community groups. The new opportunities and the emphasis on sustainability that the Growth and Legacy Project will bring are going to be exciting to watch take shape.”
Simon Erridge, Director at Bennetts Associates said:
‘This is a project for our times, a multi-arts hub which will build on Hertford Theatres’ growing reputation, hosting an events programme that will enable it to reach out to new audiences.
Working closely with East Herts Council we have designed the building to be a focal point for Hertford and its communities. We’ve added new cinema screens and studios around the existing building, as well as transforming the main theatre space by adding a balcony. The project makes the most of its riverside site, opening-up to the river and creating a new riverside path connecting to the nearby castle. The design breaks up the building into a series of brick-clad blocks, each containing one of the new performance spaces and its geometry responds to the scale and grain of the historic town, and the irregular edges of the site.’
The theatre will close to the public from Monday 7 June 2021 in preparation for works to commence in the summer/autumn. The next stage of the project is appointing a main contractor.
For more information see: East Herts Council
Design: Bennetts Associates
Images: Bennetts Associates
Hertford Theatre Development Project, Hertfordshire images / information received 060421
Location: Hertfordshire, south east England, UK
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Website: Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
