Heritage theatre to have '21st Century' seat upgrade

Audiences at Blackpool's much-loved Grade II-listed Grand Theatre could be set to get better seating in the top gallery tier.

Plans are being made to return the venue to its original profile while providing what the theatre describes as "21st Century comfort."

The proposals are intended to build on the restoration work already carried out at the Victorian theatre, considered by many to be among the best of its kind in the country.

The Grand Theatre Blackpool was originally constructed in 1894 and designed by Frank Matcham, one of Britain's most renowned theatre architects.

A planning application has been submitted to Blackpool Council seeking consent for alterations to the layout and reseating of the gallery including new handrails and amphitheatre barrier.

Benches would be replaced with traditional heritage-style seating that matches the existing seating arrangements in the stalls, grand and upper circles.

In total 215 seats would be available in the gallery, half the number originally provided by the wooden benches, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The costings and funding sources for the project have not been included in the planning application documents.

A design statement for reseating the gallery has been prepared by Theatresearch, a consultancy that specialises in the conservation and restoration of historic theatre buildings.

The statement says the designers of the project have taken a "heritage approach" that also takes account of the requirements of twenty-first century comfort.

By lowering the tier back to its original sightline and by halving the number of original rows the leg room and comfort will be significantly improved.

The seating incorporates all the traditional elements of a Matcham seat: mohair velvet upholstery, hardwood arm rests, polished timber back, and a cast iron stanchion.

The plans will now be considered by Blackpool Council.