An extra £590,000 has been approved to complete the multi-million pound renovation of Worcester's historic Scala Theatre, with council officials confirming the project is still on schedule for an October 2026 opening.
Where is the extra money going?
The additional funding, sanctioned by Worcester City Council's policy and resources committee, will cover several unexpected costs. New fire safety legislation has necessitated extra 'fire stopping' provisions, while increased National Insurance employer contributions have also added to the budget. A sum of £40,000 is earmarked for public realm improvements in Angel Place, and a £200,000 contingency fund has been established to manage any further expenses in 2025.
Council Managing Director David Blake emphasised that the original budget had not been overspent. "We've faced additional costs such as fire stopping because of the new legislation," he stated. He explained that while £350,000 might have covered the immediate issues, the larger sum was sought to avoid returning for more money later.
Funding the flagship project
The total cost of restoring the Scala now stands at £16.2 million. The vast majority of this, over £12.5 million, comes from a Government Future High Street Fund grant. The newly approved £590,000 will be drawn from council revenue underspends.
Rachel Cooper, the council's corporate director for finance and resources, said there had been "no awful surprises" and expressed optimism that the council was "over the worst of it". Councillor Richard Udall underlined the necessity of the extra cash, warning that without it, "the whole scheme would be in jeopardy".
Construction progress and community pride
On-site work continues to advance as planned. Kevin Moore, Head of Property, reported that following the successful repair of the theatre's roof, attention has now turned to the building's interior. Councillors have also noted the recent installation of solar panels on the roof.
The project has stirred strong local sentiment. Councillor Pat Agar described the process as an emotional journey of "getting the building back not to its former glory, but to a new glory", adding: "It's a flagship project for us." The council confirmed it had explored all avenues for alternative funding before requesting the supplementary budget.
