Medway Council has picked a preferred contractor for the Brook Theatre’s multi-million pound facelift.

The Grade II-listed theatre in Chatham town centre closed in April 2023 for an extensive refurbishment.

Now work is a step closer to starting after councillors agreed to award the construction contract to Romford-based firm Thomas Sinden Ltd.

Councillors unanimously approved the contract award, which is valued at £10.8 million, at a Cabinet meeting last Tuesday (19 November).

The £21.6 million facelift involves the installation of new staging, lighting and sound equipment, as well as upgrades to rehearsal spaces, dance studios and dressing rooms.

New digital technology will be fitted in offices and meeting rooms, while toilets and disabled access will also be improved.

The refurbishment has been hit by delays after surveys commissioned by the council revealed structural issues in the building.

If no further issues are discovered during the work, the theatre is set to reopen in autumn 2026.

Significant government funding has been secured for the facelift, totalling £300,000 from the Future High Streets Fund and £6.5 million from the Levelling Up Fund.

However, one of the conditions of the latter funding pot is a requirement to spend the money by 31 March 2025.

Council officers are requesting a deadline extension from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Medway Council itself is also contributing £14.8 million – made up of £100,000 from its spending budget and a £14.7 million loan to be paid back over 40 years.

The Brook Theatre was originally built in 1900 as Chatham Town Hall to the designs of prolific local architect George Bond.

It served as the headquarters of Chatham Borough Council until 1987, when it became the Medway Arts Centre.

It then reopened as the Brook Theatre in 1997, offering 100-seater and 400-seater venues for year-round professional and community productions.