Spa theatre braced for £6m renovation

The multi-million pound project will see extensive work to the Grade II Victorian concert hall and neighbouring buildings – some of which are being brought back into use for the first time in 30 years.

Funding for the project has been secured from the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, and Scarborough Borough Council.

The chairman of the Spa Project Board, Coun Derek Bastiman, said: "The Spa, when the works are completed, will provide Scarborough with a state of the art venue for a wide range of events, conferences and shows."

The main contractors on the project, Geo Houlton, are on course to finish the work in May next year.

Excavations are complete in the main hall where more than 3,000 cubic metres of clay have been removed, the stage steel is nearing completion and the new concrete floor will be cast next week.

The new offices in the old cottage will be completed and handed over along with a new external lift on November 15, well ahead of the programmed completion.

The first show in the Grand Hall is due to feature the Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra on May 7 next year.