Reading council explains why £13.7 million theatre has been revised

The Hexagon Theatre was inaugurated in November 1977 in what was at the time a prime location next to the council's civic centre.

But over the decades, footfall at the theatre and the area behind Broad Street Mall has declined, particularly after the demolition of the old civic centre in 2016.

The council won £19.1 million from the previous Conservative government's Levelling Up fund to deliver upgraded public facilities. 

Of that, £8 million was given to build a new Central Library at the council offices, and approximately £12 million to provide new and flexible performance and community space in an extension to The Hexagon Theatre.

However, the council has had to scale back The Hexagon project due to escalating costs.

READ MORE: Hexagon £13.7 million upgrade project scaled back

The main changes involve the reduction of capacity in the auditorium of the new theatre facility from 230 to 200 seats, and the wholesale removal of part of the extension that would have provided a staff office, community studio, and an external terrace.

Explaining the reason for the change, a council spokesperson said: “Construction projects have been impacted by an increase in the cost of materials and rising inflation for a number of years now.

“Having received tender prices for the proposed addition of a new Studio Theatre at The Hexagon, it has become clear that the estimated cost of construction is significantly over the limited budget envelope set aside for the project.

“The challenges of a major construction on a site which is now nearly 50 years old have added to the estimated costs and, despite having worked hard to identify savings within the planned project, delays associated with these increased costs mean it would not be possible to deliver the project in the original timeframe.

“The revised plans continue to deliver the core principles of the original plans which were also the basis for the bid to government for funding: an intimate 200-seat auditorium with gallery seating for comedy gigs and bands, a versatile audience configuration with the ability to create a standing-only space for concerts, an accessible entrance via Queen’s Walk, improved backstage facilities for performers and crew, and an upgraded technical area and entrance.”

An illustration of what the 200 seat auditorium could look like for the extension to The Hexagon in Reading. (Image: Haworth Tompkins)

The adjusted project also involves the merger of a proposed rehearsal into the foyer, and the removal of lifts at 'the back of house' where performers are based.

The original plan for the theatre was approved earlier this year.

You can view the scaled-back project for The Hexagon by typing reference PL/24/1392 into the council's planning portal.