The scheme, backed by UK Government funding, aims to ‘rejuvenate and modernise’ the 798-seat Princess Royal Theatre by improving customer experience with new cafes, an extension to the south west elevation of the building, a remodelled bar servery area and an auditorium entrance lobby with a large, modern foyer.
There will also be a “premier” green room for artists.
Other additions for the theatre include a conference hall with capacity for 250 people, a remodelled, lightweight orchestra pit and a large sound and lighting room with winch and rigging facilities so a wider variety of productions can be held at the popular venue.
Under the plans, Port Talbot’s Civic Square will be transformed into a multi-purpose community space with features such as new seating and significantly improved green spaces with extensive tree and shrub planting.
The ‘greening’ of the Civic Square will involve a 70% increase in trees and the area will also benefit from ‘rain gardens’ – green areas designed specifically to hold and soak in rainwater runoff.
The Planning Committee, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 17th, heard in an officers’ report:
“These proposals will see a combination of public realm enhancements and architectural interventions to upgrade this site and improve the public realm and desirability of the area for use.”
The project, which will see a new Amphitheatre in the Civic Square along with space for ‘pop-up’ commercial uses, is due to start in February 2025 with completion anticipated by early 2026.
Some of the UK Government funding for the project is also earmarked for a scheme to create new green infrastructure and play and family areas alongside the River Afan a short distance from the Civic Square and Princess Royal Theatre.
Cllr Cen Phillips speaking about the project said:
“This project is designed to make the Civic Square more vibrant and attractive and more functional as a safe community space. It will also see more greening of the Civic Square and will represent a considerable improvement in public space in the centre of Port Talbot.
“As for the theatre, it will be transformed, making it more contemporary, giving the opportunity for a wider range of shows and offering more space for relaxation and there will also be a gateway entrance created giving this important building a strong identity.”
The work will be carried out in seven phases, ensuring continuous access to the civic centre and surrounding buildings.
[Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council]
