A theatre’s full reopening has been pushed back for the second time due to delays in its refurbishment.

The Brook Theatre in Chatham shut in April 2023 to allow for a £21.6 million makeover and was set to reopen this year, but that was delayed to autumn 2026.

Now Medway Council has announced the town centre theatre won’t reopen until at least spring 2027.

The project will involve refurbishing the main theatre foyer, performance spaces and dressing rooms, as well as installing new staging, lighting and sound equipment.

Striking historic features throughout the Grade II-listed theatre will also be restored to their former glory.

Other works include improved disabled access, new-look toilets, and upgraded digital technology in offices and meeting rooms.

Despite the lengthy delays Medway Council says it has been “incredibly busy behind the scenes” to kickstart the multi-million-pound refurbishment.

Surveys of the walls, floors and ceilings have been completed to investigate structural issues and produce more detailed designs.

Last November a £10.8 million contract was awarded to Thomas Sinden Ltd to carry out the works.

Temporary fencing will be put up around the theatre in June, with the main work starting this summer and taking at least 18 months to reach completion.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “The theatre has been an iconic creative space for Medway for over 25 years and it’s imperative that these major refurbishment works are carried out to ensure the theatre is fit for the long-term future, providing theatregoers, residents and creative businesses and organisations with a fantastic local venue while maintaining its proud heritage features.

“While we had hoped to undertake the work sooner, detailed surveys revealed that structural work and new designs were needed.

“Further work was also then necessary to secure the best contractor for this essential project.”

The contractor, Thomas Sinden, has worked on several large-scale heritage sites over the years, such as St Albans Cathedral, one of the nation’s highest profile Grade I-listed cathedrals.

Graeme Sinden, managing director at the firm, grew up in Medway and says the theatre “holds a lot of memories.”

He said: “It’s a real privilege for Thomas Sinden to be leading the restoration of such a beautiful and iconic local landmark.

“We’re proud to help secure its future as a vibrant, inclusive venue for the whole community.”

The council will invest £14.8 million into the project and has also secured external funding, totalling £6.5 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund and £300,000 from the Future High Streets Fund.

The 125-year-old building benefitted from an external facelift in 2016, costing £415,000.

It was originally built in 1900 as Chatham’s town hall and became the Brook Theatre in 1997.

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