Year of project: 2021
Project specification:
The Gala Theatre in Durham asked their existing customers for feedback on how to attract more visitors and were told that the front-of-house could do with a facelift. Their previous decor and facilities were 20 years old and visitors felt it needed to create a more welcoming, warmer look.
In order to create a more welcoming atmosphere, the Gala Theatre commissioned a refurbishment of the front-of-house facilities while maintaining a consistent theme throughout all the public areas. The existing reception and entrance area was clad in warmer looking coloured MDF panelling with the removal of the existing miner lift shaft feature in the front entrance. The box office area was refreshed with new furniture and the prominent lift shaft next to the box office was clad in stylish oak panelling.
The ground and first floor bar areas were re-clad in the same warm tones with matching stone worktops installed for the bars and tables in the seating areas while specially designed bottle racking was created in laminated oak behind the bar area. Fixed seating was added to the area opposite the ground floor bar replacing existing venting panels with integrated venting in the seating bases. The first floor bar benefited from a new standing bar shelf area with glass ballustrade overlooking the ground floor for those mid-show interval refreshments.
Both sets of entrance doors to the auditorium on the ground and upper floors were also replaced in a complementary style to the rest of the new decor.
Why did the client choose Ambic?: Ambic were able to provide a one-stop shop solution, not only manufacturing and fitting all the fixed furniture, but also all the additional fixtures and fittings such as the panelling, doors and glass ballustrade. Ambic also completed the majority of the redecoration (painting / wallpapering).
Outcome: The project was delivered on time and within budget.
