Issue - decisions

28/10/2025 - Essex Hall Refurbishment

To seek quotations, award works to contractors and implement works for the redecoration of the Essex Hall, with funding sourced from the Princes Theatre restoration fund.
The proposed works include nine key elements:
1.Installation of mouldings along the sections of the walls both above and below the architrave.
2.Due to previous leakages and heavy use, the front face of the bar is also to be completely replaced.
3.Complete room redecoration
4.Light sanding and re-varnishing of the floor replacing damaged areas with wood sourced from another part of the building (the Theatre storeroom).
5.Replacement of wall lights with modern, energy-efficient LED fittings in keeping with the proposed décor scheme. Removal and replacement of the existing down lights in the pelmet above the bar with led rope light or similar to facilitate the curtain installation. There will also be replacement of the sockets around the room to match the proposed scheme.
6.Retractable boards along the front of the bar and the housing for this to be concealed when retracted.
7.Removal of old, unused storage heaters.
8.Complete refurbishment or replacement of the swing doors into the Essex Hall to bring them up to both aesthetic standards and building regs.
9.Replacement of the current commercial ceiling tiles with a more aesthetically pleasing wainscot effect ceiling panel.
10.The entire project will be managed in-house by the theatre manager to save costs and to ensure the best outcome for TDC.