WP4025 - Bloxwich Theatre Redevelopment Feasibility Study - AWARD

Description

Walsall Council is seeking a high-quality provider to assess the feasibility of redeveloping Bloxwich Theatre into a multi-function creative space. Whilst still enabling the building to be used as a theatre, the Council seeks to refurbish and repurpose the underused venue into a valuable utilized space for audiences, creative businesses, communities, and schools alike. Bloxwich is a deprived area with low rates of skills and workforce mobility, and over 80% of neighbourhoods in the top 20% most deprived. Work is already happening in the area as part of Bloxwich Town Plan backed by £21M Town's Funding to revive the town centre, including the development of the Bloxwich Launchpad, a digital access and incubation centre, which is adjacent to the Theatre. Re-development of the theatre is as much a place shaping project supporting the future of the town centre as it is a venue upgrade. Proximity to the Bloxwich Launchpad anchors the project in a wider offer, supports the development of daytime/night-time economies, develops skills, and creates jobs. It will turn this under-utilised corner of Bloxwich into a thriving, creative enterprise quarter supporting artists, community groups & SMEs.