LookWest News

The Director of the Lyric says their £15m expansion plans should survive the cost-cutting.

Executive director Jessica Hepburn talked to the Council-run newspaper h&f news about progress on the plans and admitted that national belt-tightening posed a genuine threat to the ambitious extension.

"A massive element of this project is securing the funding package and I would be lying if I said I was not worried," she said. "We want to start building this autumn but we need to get the funding locked down first," she said. "Two weeks ago I was really worried about the diploma funding, but I have had confirmation now that it is safe. I was also worried about the Arts Council funding but that has also been confirmed now. And the LDA is being abolished, but my indications are that money should come through as well."

The expansion project involves building a two-storey extension on the western side of the existing theatre which will house new facilities for young people training and performing at the theatre, including rehearsal spaces, recording studios, a computer suite, film-editing suite, dance studio, new production workshop and a 50-seat cinema.

These will help the Lyric to expand its theatre training work with local schools and to offer a creative and media diploma for 14 to 19-year-olds. The project was awarded a £3m grant from the Dept of Education.

See previous coverage.