Plans to upgrade an arts venue have progressed after local authorities granted contracts worth £61,500 for its renovation.
Adur and Worthing councils have selected ECE Architecture Ltd to handle the concluding design phases of the Ropetackle Arts Centre initiative in Shoreham at a cost of £35,000, while Cove Consulting LLP has been brought on board as the employer’s representative and cost consultant for £26,500.
The broader scheme carries a value of approximately £537,882, comprising £371,278 from an Arts Council England grant alongside £166,604 provided by the Ropetackle Centre Trust. The council faces no obligation to provide any monetary input.
Nevertheless, since the Ropetackle Centre Trust presently leases the premises from Adur District Council, the renovation will consequently involve cooperation between both organisations.
The venue operates primarily through unpaid staff, featuring a 350-seat performance space, areas for activities and a café with bar facilities. More than 500 theatrical performances are staged annually, complemented by creative sessions and wellness programmes.
The enhancements encompass repositioning the stage to accommodate an additional two rows of audience seating, improving sound quality, redecorating the café to create a warmer atmosphere and implementing measures to boost energy efficiency.
The proposed works are scheduled for completion between January and March 2027 and will involve a temporary shutdown of approximately six weeks.