Middlesbrough council unveils plans for new theatre ‘capable of hosting touring West End shows’

Middlesbrough could get a new theatre capable of hosting touring West End shows as part of plans for what the council describes as the biggest changes to the town centre “for a generation”.

The proposed theatre would be built on the site of the existing Civic Centre and is one of 15 projects outlined in an updated Middlesbrough Council Investment Prospectus. Feasibility studies have already been carried out, with the council saying that major operators have shown an interest in developing a new venue overlooking Centre Square.

The plans are intended to respond to changes in how people work, shop and spend their leisure time, with the council seeking to increase the number of visitors and attract further investment to the town centre.

The proposed theatre is also positioned as part of a wider push to develop Middlesbrough’s cultural offer. The town is due to host the Turner Prize at MIMA from September and is bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029.

The prospectus does not yet give details of the proposed theatre’s capacity, design, operator or potential opening date. It says that different options for private sector investment are being explored, with regional and national grant funding also expected to be required.

Other projects in the prospectus include a new hotel at Gurney House, thousands of new homes in Middlehaven and Gresham, new urban spaces created through the removal of end-of-life retail and office buildings, and changes to the town’s shopping and transport infrastructure.

The proposals have been informed by a consultation involving 1,300 young people, their parents and carers. A new Place Leaders Partnership has also been established involving Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University, Middlesbrough College, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Football Club, alongside a number of local employers and public organisations.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Attracting investment and visitors to the town centre are crucial for our future. This bold series of developments would represent the most significant investment in Middlesbrough for a generation and can give people hope and optimism about what comes next.”

Councillor Theo Furness, executive member for economic development, added that the proposals included “the ambition for a new theatre” alongside plans for thousands of new homes.

The strategies will be considered by Cooke and his executive on Wednesday 2 September.