The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens is about to undergo a thrilling transformation as construction officially begins on its highly-anticipated 150- seat Education Centre & Studio Theatre. This project is the first of three phases, which will help keep Lowther at the heart of the Fylde community while captivating new audiences and presenting a cutting-edge programme.
As construction begins, excitement builds as Lytham awaits the curtain raising on this additional space. Not only will the project offer a significant increase in Lowther’s growing creative programme, but it will also boost the number of local opportunities from volunteering to employment.
Teresa Mallabone, Chair of the Lowther Gardens Trust, said: “this is a momentous stage in the Trust’s journey to provide the Fylde Coast with a state of the art facility that will not only serve the local community but also attract visitors to the area. We will now focus on fundraising for the ‘fit out’ of the facility.
This phase of Lowther’s ambitious redevelopment campaign has been funded by incredibly generous donations from organisations such as the Windmill Community Benefit Society, Soroptimist Society, Beaverbrooks, Dougie Chapman Associates, and the continuing support of the theatre’s loyal customer base.
The news marks a key milestone in Lowther’s redevelopment campaign and follows an exceptionally successful summer period for venues such as The Tent. The Tent, a temporary marquee offered for free as a free event space for community groups, has seen a busy programme of events from world food nights to children’s workshops, knit and natter to local Choirs filling the park with beautiful music.
Tim Lince, Lowther’s CEO/Artistic Director, said: “The success of the Tent has been quite unprecedented as it has given all aspects of the community in Fylde the ability to get involved in some way. This will obviously be carried forward into the new building. Seeing it rise out of the ground in these difficult times should be a point of celebration for everybody in the region proving that future thinking and community values are at the heart of living on the Fylde”
The construction of the building will be carried out by Preston-based J. Robinson Building Contractors Ltd, with work on the shell expected to be completed in May 2024.
For more information on the redevelopment plans or how you can support, please visit lowtherpavilion.co.uk/support-us.