Latest news with #BlackburnEmpireTheatre
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Expansion approved for 115-year-old Blackburn Empire Theatre
A volunteer-run theatre can now create a new dance studio, reception office and entrance after planning permission was will involve the conversion of an empty storeroom at Blackburn Empire Theatre in Aqueduct Road, entails removing a large shuttered door on to the car park, creating a new separate entrance and reception area for a rehearsal studio, and refurbishing the storage area.A spokesman for the 115-year-old venue said it was "great news". 'Five-year plan' "It will allow us to create an additional rehearsal room which is all part of a larger five-year plan to develop the Empire and its role within the community," he planning application, submitted by the charity which runs the theatre, was approved by Blackburn with Darwen was supported by the National Theatres Trust which said in a letter to planners: "This proposal relates to a later building to the rear of the original theatre. "Utilising the building for dance studios will complement the core theatre function and further enhance the Empire's community and cultural offer." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blackburn's Empire Theatre submits expansion plan
A storeroom at a thriving theatre in Lancashire has been earmarked as a new dance studio and rehearsal Blackburn Empire Theatre in Aqueduct Road, Ewood, has applied for approval to convert the empty space to welcome even more has applied for planning permission for the change of use of the existing vacant storage area into a dance studio with new reception office and application is to convert a large room in the performing arts centre attached to the main theatre, which has been used for storage for a number of years. It would entail removing a large shuttered door on to the car park and creating a new separate entrance area for a rehearsal studio and totally refurbishing the storage area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.A spokesman for the charity which runs the 330-seat volunteer-run theatre said the application was part of the theatre's "ongoing commitment to provide the best facilities possible to encourage community participation in the arts".It follows major transformations to the bars in the balcony and smartening up the public areas in the main theatre with further improvements to the toilets in the bar area to Berry Room – named after former chairman of the theatre Michael Berry who was a driving force behind its restoration – has undergone a major facelift with new flooring and portable mirrors and portable bar being installed offering a studio space suitable both for rehearsals and added: "At a time when the arts in general are having a hard time nationally, the Empire offers a vital hub for the local community and an additional space will help us meet the demand and encourage those interested in performance." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
