We have now completed the first phase of our ‘Wyeside Works’ Project; a feasibility study which has focused on strengthening Wyeside’s business model and developing our facilities and access.

We held a public meeting on January 14th 2019 to present our plans to the public. Those who attended the evening showed clear support for our project, many believing that it would have a huge positive impact in the town and the surrounding area.

The proposed development would see visitors enter our building via an air lobby through a new main entrance in the centre of the building, and we explained that they have initiated discussions with the Wales Trunk Road Agency with the aim to improve the approach over the road, massively increasing the safety of our customers.

The ground floor would be open plan, with an improved Box Office and Bar to the right and a community studio space to the left. Visitors would be able to access all levels via a proposed new central staircase with new accessible lift.

Plans for the lower ground floor include the creation of a balcony box to better accommodate seating for disabled customers, an accessible dressing room with shower and WC, and a new ‘Cellar Bar’ under the stone arches behind the auditorium seats.

We are proposing that the upstairs cinema be split into two smaller auditoriums. Introducing a third cinema screen is central to our future business objectives, giving us opportunity to widen the programme and be more immediately reactive to sales and demand.

A new meeting place named the ‘Assembly Room’ will be built above the Market Theatre with views looking out onto the River Wye. Along with the breath-taking view and public terrace, this new community space would be able to offer a range of activities not currently on offer such as trade fairs, large scale exhibitions, weddings, parties, conferences and private hires.

In addition, we intend to install comprehensive acoustic soundproofing and an efficient heating and cooling system.

Having now completed the feasibility study we must next work towards achieving RIBA Stage 3 which will involve further design developments and gaining planning approval.

We also announced the total cost to the redevelopment, which is estimated at circa £5 million. Fundraising consultant Emma Goad of Blue Canary presented a practical fundraising plan to achieve this goal and broke down that figure into achievable categories - which included Lead Gifts, Major Grants and an Individual Giving Campaign - and explained that conversations with major funders have already began to take place.