Malvern Theatres
New community studios expanding one of the UK's largest theatre complexes
Client: Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Theatres
Location: Great Malvern
Status: In progress
With the project due to start on site in Autumn 2025, Burrell Foley Fischer have successfully designed the remodelling and extension of Malvern Theatres, in collaboration with the Theatre and Malvern Hills District Council. Following planning approval in Autumn 2024, the ambitious scheme aims to utilise the £20 million awarded through the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to deliver a world-class cultural facility in Great Malvern, ultimately making the development one of the largest theatre complexes in Europe.
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We're working with Malvern Theatres to deliver a major upgrade and expansion of this much-loved cultural venue. The project includes a new, flexible Studio 2 performance space, additional studios for workshops and classes, improved dressing rooms, new offices, and a recording studio – all designed to be fully accessible and inclusive for performers and audiences alike.
Upgrades to the existing Forum Theatre will create a level access stage and better seating, alongside improvements to the theatre’s technical capabilities and back of house areas.
A new entrance from Priory Park, complete with lift access, will complement upgrades to the existing rear access and will strengthen the connection between the theatre and its surroundings. An outdoor amphitheatre will provide a new platform for informal performances in the park, helping to open up arts and culture to even more people across the region.
All of the new spaces are designed with sustainability at their core, using a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure and roof-mounted solar panels to minimise embodied carbon and reduce ongoing energy use.er visitor offer, which is key to the District’s economic prosperity.
“It is clear that the proposal is likely to bring about considerable public benefits. The works present a number of positive opportunities. This includes integrating the building’s many phases, and re-enforcing its relationship with Priory Park; an important part of the Great Malvern Conservation Area and setting of the Grade II* listed Council House.”
— Historic England in their report presented to the Planning Committee
"When it's complete, this will be one of the largest multi-venue arts centres under a single roof anywhere in Europe."
— Fred Moroni, Executive Director Malvern Theatres
Project Team
Contractor: Speller Metcalfe Limited
Principal Designer: BFF
Theatre & Acoustic Consultants: TheatrePlan & Adrian James Acoustics
Civils & Structural Engineer: Integral Engineering Design
MEP Engineer: Hoare Lea
Cost Consultant: EDGE
Planning Consultant: CarneySweeney
Ecological Consultant: CSA Environmental
Arboricultural Consultant: Creative Gardening Solutions
Transport Consultant: Dave Tucker Associates
Fire Consultant: The Fire Surgery
Principal Designer BSA: BFF