By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A £1.1m scheme of works will take place at Mansfield’s theatre and museum to protect their “long-term viability” and improve visitors’ experiences.
Mansfield District Council has allocated a raft of maintenance and improvement works between now and 2026 to improve the two Leeming Street buildings.
It’s part of the Labour-run authority’s three-year capital programme of investments with £1,136,000 budgeted for between 2023/24 and 2025/26.
The theatre will get an £80,000 lift upgrade in 2023/24, improvement works totalling £238,000 and a further £150,000 for air conditioning.
The suspended ceilings and floor coverings will be improved between 2024 and 2026, costing £50,000, alongside a roof replacement at £54,000.
Both sites will benefit from £50,000 of LED lightbulb upgrades over the three years, costing £100,000 in total.
They will also receive redecorations costing £31,000 in total, with toilet refurbishments at both sites to total £28,000.
Other improvements to both buildings, including replacing single-glazed windows and separate glass replacements, make up the remaining work.
The authority says the works have been planned as part of long-term investment into arts and culture across the town.
The theatre has a full year of shows planned for 2023 and says its recent pantomime “broke box office records”.
The council says this proves “how much our residents value these important assets”.
Councillor Stuart Richardson (Lab) is portfolio holder for regeneration and growth.
In a statement, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “By continuing to deliver a diverse range of shows and exhibitions, we are enriching the cultural lives of local people and beyond.
“Investing in these important assets is also helping to drive more footfall to the town centre, which in turn brings more economic benefits for our small businesses and local economy.
“The planned maintenance and enhancement work over the coming years will improve our visitor experience to both venues whilst also ensuring their long-term viability.”
The work comes after the authority was awarded more than £1.7m from the national Arts Council to boost cultural activities across the district over three years.
Eight projects will launch, including creative activities in ‘priority communities’ and a ‘learning together’ education scheme in schools and with older people.
There are also plans for a ‘new talent’ project to support emerging artists and a ‘diverse careers’ scheme would support underrepresented people into careers.
As part of the Arts Council cash, the council is to create eight new jobs inside its cultural services team to develop the projects.
The roles will work out at 7.67 full-time equivalent roles between April 2023 and March 2026 and will cost about £800,000 over the three years.
The cash will be approved during a delegated decision by Adam Hill, the council’s chief executive, on Thursday (January 19).
Cllr Richardson added: “We are financially committed to these projects and have an exciting and extensive programme to share in due course with residents.”
