The contractor will re-clad the building’s curtain walling and refurbish the front-of-house area including the box office and the restaurant. BAM’s work is the major part of a £7m project to redevelop the theatre. The project will also involve work on the backstage and basement areas, as well as new mechanical and electrical plant.
The main project works will take place from mid-April to September, when the theatre will be closed. Some early work will start on site in February and some work in the non-public facing areas will be completed in October.
BAM has committed to using local suppliers and subcontractors where possible, and to provide apprenticeships and work experience placements through its National Skills Academy for Construction programme, which is supported via local schools, colleges and Plymouth University. BAM says it is the first construction company in the southwest to be given the NSAC status by industry training board ConstructionSkills.
Construction manager Graham Kingdon said: “We look forward to using our breadth of skills to improve the building for the local community, economy and environment. This is an iconic theatre that we use ourselves as theatregoers – indeed the BAM social club went to the Theatre Royal to see Dick Whittington before Christmas.”
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