Criterion Theatre

Here's a review of all the works undertaken in each week of the Criterion Big Build.

Status and Progress Bulletin

Timing and Progress: On track

Status against plan

Works Completed in Week 5 (20/6/25)

More great progress this week – things really starting to take shape:

• Stripping out toilets, installing new drains and reinstating floor
• Started moving window in ladies toilet
• Removal of old front stud wall and window
• Start construction of framework for extension
• Started rebuild of brick piers between upper windows to improve stability 

The theatre team have also been busy:

• Continued dismantling parts of the bar

Works Planned for Week 6 (23/6/25)

• Complete rebuilding brick piers above new opening
• Complete wooden framing for new foyer
• Start building new roof above extension
• Continue dismantling the bar gantry and removal of shutters

 This weeks images show the framework for the new extension is more or less complete. It gives a great impression of how the new foyer will look, together with the 3 large windows in the front and the doorway to the side

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Works Completed in Week 4 (13/6/25)

Big week this week – fantastic progress:

• Temporary supports installed for brick piers between windows above opening
• Installed steel beams above new opening
• Completed demolition works to create new opening
• Completed brickwork around dwarf wall
• Started stripping out toilets 

The theatre team have also been busy:

• Started dismantling parts of the bar
• Wallpaper stripping in bar and foyer
• Further meeting with flooring supplier

Works Planned for Week 5 (16/6/25)

• Complete rebuilding work above new opening
• Continue toilet strip out 
• Start building wooden framing for new foyer and roof
• Continue dismantling the bar back wall, ceiling and gantry

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Works Completed in Week 3 (06/06/25)

More mixed weather but really good progress and starting to get slightly ahead of schedule:

• All new drain runs complete and excavations refilled
• Foundations walls for extension and ramp completed
• Extension floor slab poured
• Demolition work has started on the knock through
• Screening created inside the bar to create safe working space

Meanwhile back inside the theatre:

• Wardrobe moved from upstairs into the auditorium for temporary storage
• Meetings with flooring supplier and a carpenter for bar refurbishment

Works Planned for Week 4 (09/06/25)

Complete knock through and install new steels to create the new opening into the bar

Depending on progress, work framing work for foyer extension

Start dismantling the bar back wall, ceiling and gantry

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Works Completed in Week 2 (26/05/25)

Despite some of that wet stuff making an appearance during the week, the groundworks crew have made solid progress:

• External site was cleared (removing the old ramp and steps)
• Ground works have begun, digging out trenches for the foundations of the new foyer and ramp/steps
• The drain runs have been moved to accommodate new extension
• Foundation trenches poured with concrete
• Blockwork for the extension has been started

Meanwhile back inside the theatre:

• Preparation for moving the wardrobe from upstairs into the auditorium for temporary storage
• The start of wallpaper stripping
• Finalising the layout of the toilets

• Works Planned for Week 3 (02/06/25)

  • Blockwork to create base of new foyer extension
  • Start floor slab construction for foyer extension

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Works Completed in Week 1 (19/05/25)

• Sunday 18th - amazing efforts by volunteers to clear the foyer and bar.
• Preparatory work to get the front area ready for the start of the building.

Security fencing installed and front doors fitted into a new partition across the foyer to create the ‘building site’. Note that no access is allowed to this area at any time.

Temporary fire escape has been constructed by the facilities team to provide escape route from the tech box into the auditorium. The usual escape route from the tech box across the roof is prohibited during the building works, as at some point there will be no roof!

The ‘Ellen Terry Stone’ removed and put aside.

Badly damaged foundation stone revealed. This will be reviewed in the coming weeks with a view to potential repair.

Works Planned for Week 2 (26/05/25)

Continue and complete site strip out.

Dig foundations for new foyer extension.

Meanwhile:

Our wonderful clear out volunteers and the havoc they wreaked.

Work begins to fit the temporary partition, move the doors and strip out the walls and ceiling. The lower part of the original building windows from 1884 can be seen in the centre image, together with the damaged foundation stone.