Work has started on a £7.5 million refurbishment project at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

Contractors are now underway with work to revamp the iconic venue and the scheme is scheduled to be complete in the next 11 weeks.

Features of the project include;

• Repainting the entire auditorium, with a brand-new red and gold colour scheme

• Removing all of the seats in the stalls and circle and replacing with 1,659 brand-new (and wider) seats

• Reupholstering all seats in the balcony

• Installing new environmentally-friendly LED lighting

• Increasing accessibility, with better facilities for people with disabilities

• Moving the orchestra pit to under the stage

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• Renovating the plasterwork

As part of the theatre's commitment to protecting the environment, 63% of waste from the project will be recycled. At the height of construction, up to 120 different tradesmen and women will be on site per day.

Chairman of Southampton Cultural Development Trust, Brad Roynon, said: "Mayflower Theatre doesn't just bring in huge shows and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city every year. It also plays an important part in connecting new audiences with theatre and inspiring young people to get involved in the arts.

"It's therefore absolutely vital that we preserve this historic and culturally important venue to ensure it remains, and develops further, as a catalyst for the growth of arts and culture."

Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive of Mayflower Theatre, said: "Closing our doors for just over three months isn't a decision we take lightly but this work is absolutely vital to make sure the next generation of theatre-goers and performers have access to a world-class facility.

"This is without doubt the most significant refurbishment project that the theatre has seen in the last three decades and we're incredibly excited to get work underway

Image: Chief Executive Michael Ockwell in the midst of the theatre refurbishment.

(LM/MH)