Theatre closed for six months due to fire risk

A city's last remaining theatre will be closed for longer than initially anticipated after an audit exposed safety risks.

The Kings Theatre's volunteers had hoped the venue would reopen by 5 May, but the building now requires extensive repairs and could be shut until 1 September.

Andrew Taylor, chair of the board of trustees, said the volunteer-run site needs to raise more than £20,000 for the work.

"People are really keen to see how they can help, and we've had people from the community reach out and say, 'this is my trade and maybe I could help in this way'," he said.

Inspectors said the fire detection system had "major flaws" and will need replacing.

"That in itself is looking at costing us between £15,000-£20,000 and we're a voluntary-run venue, so those sorts of funds aren't really available to us," he said.

They also need to improve accessibility to a tech box and ensure curtains and chairs are fire retardant.

"Our primary aim is to ensure that space is safe and operable for everybody that comes," he said.

Upcoming events at the theatre, including Whitney Houston and Pink Floyd tributes, have been cancelled or postponed until the work has been done.

"I'm really, really pleased that people are appreciating and understanding and really with us on the fact that we're making a change and starting what should be a really, really good new chapter," he added.

The theatre, previously known as The Olympus, has been in existence since 1960.

In 1980s the venue shut for a few years but was reopened thanks to a community effort, which saw Gloucester Prison inmates and firefighters get together and help with painting.

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