Wednesday, 3rd May 2023
The Muni Theatre will close its doors following a sell-out performance from The Lancashire Hotpots on Saturday, May 13th, for refurbishment work to start on Monday, May 15th.
The work is being carried out with funding from Round One of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The Albert Road venue has been allocated £1,563,300 for a major refurbishment of all of the theatre, including new roofing and windows, along with new heating and lighting to improve energy efficiency that will deliver reduced carbon emissions.
The theatre is one of three in Colne awarded funding as part of the newly formed Heritage Quarter. A total of £3,487,000 will be shared between The Muni Theatre, Pendle Hippodrome and the Little Theatre.
All three aging venues have suffered from chronic underinvestment over a number of years, therefore putting them all at risk. This funding will be a lifeline to secure their futures.
The temporary closure of The Muni comes after a very successful Spring season at the Edwardian theatre, which saw thousands of people enjoy an array of events, from live music and national theatre to sell-out comedy and children’s shows.
It will re-open in January 2024 for the annual pantomime.
Alison Goode, Chief Executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to secure the future of this aging building.
“Without this funding, we would not have been able to carry out this much-needed work and protect its future.
“The Muni is well-loved and well-used by, not only the local community, but a wider audience – and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors back in 2024 to a new look and more efficient building that will keep providing top class entertainment for years to come.”