Theatre's £5m revamp plans submitted to council

Plans to regenerate Portsmouth's Kings Theatre have been submitted, featuring a new cafe and bar, along with a new rehearsal studio.

The Kings Theatre Trust submitted proposals to Portsmouth City Council, which include restoring the venue's Albert Road-facing façade.

The project, known as Elevation 1907, aims to revitalise 24–28 Albert Road into a fully accessible entrance foyer, bar and rehearsal space "seamlessly connected to the Grade II* listed theatre".

The council said the "positive" scheme would retain and adapt a "very important heritage asset in the city".

The proposals aim to resolve existing operational challenges at the 1,400-seat theatre, including poor accessibility for people with disabilities, a lack of a public-facing social space, limited educational and learning areas, and insufficient toilet facilities.

The new facilities would include a fully accessible entrance and foyer from Albert Road for the first time in the theatre's history.

A customer lift would provide access to all levels from the ground floor.

The plans follow extensive consultation with the public and Historic England, who are "wholly supportive" of the proposals.

Ryan Stock of Pritchard Architecture said the project would transform a long-derelict terrace into a "vibrant civic asset", describing Elevation 1907 as "more than bricks and mortar".

Once approved, the £5m work is expected to start later this year and take about 15 months.

It would have a minimal impact on performances and would be funded through ticket levies, council support and future fundraising.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.