Theatre bar heralds £1m refurbishment (From Echo)
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Theatre bar heralds £1m refurbishment
11:50am Tuesday 27th March 2012 in Basildon By Emma Palmer
New look – Scott Russell makes a latte for Mo Larkin
THE new-look Towngate Theatre bar has been unveiled following a plush £100,000 revamp.
Champagne glasses were clinking as council leaders and VIP guests mingled at the official opening of the bar, part of a long-term £1million project to do up the venue in St Martin’s Square Basildon.
Designed by Essex-based interior firm Breley Design, the work has seen the former Cafe Scene area transformed into a modern, stand- alone bar, offering a range of food and drinks for audience members.
Councillor Kevin Blake, responsible for leisure at Basildon Council said: “The Towngate has established itself as a good theatre offering a variety of shows.
“However, the limitations of the building are something which needed to be addressed.
“The work on the bar will help to move the theatre to the next level, offering both a good evening environment for show-goers and an alternative venue for shoppers in the town, looking to grab some lunch or just enjoy a coffee.”
The £1million investment in the 560-seat theatre over the next five years, will see a number of improvements made, including new seating, redecorated foyers, new windows and doors, as well as better lighting.
Basildon Council took over running the Towngate in 2006.
Since then, the venue has become a cultural hotspot, attracting big name acts and putting on a run of sell-out pantomimes.
Before the council came to the rescue, the theatre was closed for eight years.
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