We are delighted to announce that Burrell Foley Fischer have been appointed as architects for the creation of a new performance arts and theatre venue in Worcester.
The project will transform the vacant Scala Theatre and Grade-II-listed Corn Exchange buildings into a performance arts venue for the city, alongside the broader revival of the area, including a currently empty building at 8 Angel Street, formerly a Co-op store. BFF have been appointed to design the new theatre and cultural hub, which will offer leading theatrical, music and performance facilities.
The City Council secured £17.9 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund to revamp the area around Angel Place and Angel Street, and improvements are already underway to the pavements and environment of the area.
Burrell Foley Fischer have four decades of experience designing all types of arts buildings, from drama to music and dance to cinema. The majority of our arts projects utilise existing buildings in some way. Our projects have included the Crucible in Sheffield, The Almeida in London and the recently completed Hall for Cornwall in Truro, which was shortlisted for Theatre Building of the Year at The Stage newspaper 2022 Awards.
Specialist theatre consultants Theatreplan have also been appointed to work on the project. They bring a wealth of experience to the creation of Worcester’s new arts centre within some of the city’s most historic buildings, with their work including Battersea Arts Centre, the Glasgow Citizens Theatre and Sydney Opera House.
The design team, led by BFF, includes Mechanical and Electrical Engineers E3 Consulting Engineers and Structural Engineers Integral Engineering Design. Arno Acoustics will advise on the acoustic design and Hilson Moran will provide fire safety advice.
The City Council has appointed Equals Consulting as project managers and cost consultants for this major initiative to stimulate economic growth at the northern gateway to the city centre. Their pedigree includes projects at the Natural History Museum, Bristol Hippodrome, and the Science Museum, among a wide range of other work.
David Blake, Managing Director of Worcester City Council, said:
“It’s very exciting to be progressing this major investment in the northern part of the city centre. This project will stimulate economic growth in Worcester, creating a new city centre hub for theatre, music, comedy and more. The broader regeneration of the Angel Street and Angel Place area will also bring broader social, economic, and environmental benefits, alongside new living opportunities in the city centre and the enhancement of some of our city’s most striking historic buildings.”