Theatre refurbishment to commence next year

The planned refurbishment of a West Sussex theatre will commence next year after the project was rescoped to reduce costs.

The Capitol Theatre in Horsham is 90 years old and was last refurbished in 2003.

Early last year, Horsham District Council outlined plans to undertake a £10.7m renovation to increase seating capacity, replace its boilers, add more toilets and refurbish the foyer.

These plans were revised last October due to predicted escalating costs after a contractor increased its estimate by 25%.

With the project now rescoped to cut costs, the council has confirmed that the full refurbishment will commence in early January 2026.

The venue will remain open aside from a closure of the main theatre auditorium between April and May to facilitate structural surveys and interim seating improvements.

Essential roof repairs will also be carried out across the summer in advance of next year.

It is expected that the venue will reopen in time for the 2026 pantomime season.

The council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, David Skipp, said: "We are pleased that this phased approach to our refurbishment work will now enable the venue to be open throughout 2025 with an exciting entertainment programme for everyone to enjoy."

Councillors will look to approve the plans at a cabinet meeting on 19 March.

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