Worcester City Council leader excited by plans to open new arts venue, after business plan approved

The Scala arts centre has been given a provisional open date of 2026

A version of what the new Scala Theatre could look like in Worcester
Author: Elliot BurrowPublished 7th Aug 2024

Worcester City Council's leader has labelled a new arts venue, which has been given a provisional open date in autumn 2026, as a "centre for creativity", which will bring something new to the area.

The Scala Theatre is due to be built in the former Scala cinema and Corn Exchange buildings in Worcester, with business plans for the project being approved last week.

A ‘Creative Consortium’ of some of Worcester’s leading arts, cultural and creative organisations helped the city council develop the business plan.

Lynn Denham says while they realise they have a while to go, it's been great seeing everything come together.

She said: "The vision from the Creative Consortium is that the Scala will be a centre for creativity in Worcester city centre where everyone feels welcome, and what they're looking to bring is different activities that we don't already have in Worcester.

"They've also put a mission to go with that, which is to enrich and diversify Worcester's cultural landscape through ambitious and exciting programming, where communities, artists, participants, and audiences can connect and create.

"We're a little way off actually sort of showing the first film, and we're not going to cut the red ribbon this year or next, but we are hoping that there'll be some activities around the communities leading up to opening night, and it is exciting."

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