Malvern Theatres Auditorium Seat Procurement

Malvern Theatres is located within the Great Malvern Conservation Area close to the Grade I listed Great Malvern Priory and on the perimeter of the historic Priory Park. The Theatres itself date back to 1885 and today is a leading provider of the arts in the West Midlands, delivering 1800 live performances, film screenings, workshops and classes to an annual audience of 300,000. Artistically, it has national significance attracting world class performers and companies. The 2000 seat arts complex (across three auditoria) was one of the National Lottery's earliest funded projects and has proved to be one of its greatest success stories. The venue, which is a charity, now runs as an independent theatre with only 1% of its running costs publicly funded. It is ideally poised to help the region 'level up' arts access and opportunity, but this cannot be done within the theatre's existing footprint, which is at capacity in every way. This development will deliver a world class cultural facility in the centre of the Malvern Hills district, with benefits extending to the West Midlands. The investment will transform the current offering at Malvern Theatres, creating life-changing opportunities for young people and specifically those from deprived backgrounds. It will bring economic prosperity to a largely rural economy and have a profound impact on the civic identity of the region.

The first phase of the development was completed in the Summer of 2023, which included a new Studio dedicated creative learning space built at the front of the Theatre. Phase 2 is due to commence on site January 2026 with the main contractor under a Design & Build contract. Phase 2 will deliver the following objectives:

1. An extension to the current site to accommodate the following interactive spaces:

a. new studio theatre (Studio 2 with retractable seating unit)

b. two workshop spaces

c. recording studio

d. dressing room facilities to serve Studio 2 & The Forum

1. The construction of an external amphitheatre overlooking Priory Park, which will be a major tourist attraction (that will also attract new and different types of productions to Malvern.
2. A technical upgrade of the Forum Theatre, increasing the seating capacity, DDA provisions and improved sight lines. (New seating to complete auditorium).

For this procurement we are seeking an auditorium seating contractor to be appointed directly by the client to design and fit out the auditorium seating to Studio 2 and the upgraded Forum Theatre during the client fit out period provided by the main contractor.

The successfully auditorium seating contractor will have to liaise with the main contractor during the construction phase to ensure key setting/ co-ordination of the re-raked forum base for the new seating & Studio 2's balcony/ recessed pocket to house the retractable seating unit.