It’s all go at Ludlow Assembly Rooms

Work is underway at Ludlow Assembly Rooms (LAR) which will result in the venue having new seating, air conditioning, increased accessibility and much more.

The project - called ‘A Sustainable Future for Ludlow Assembly Rooms” - is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Arts Council England, Shropshire Council and Ludlow Assembly Rooms .

Gareth Williams, Chair of Ludlow Assembly Rooms said: “It’s great to see the project actually coming to life.  It has been a long time in development with the hard work of previous Chairs Tony Blench and Mike Penn and all our many friends and supporters helping to bringing it to where we are today.”

Work is being carried out by Shropshire-based PaveAways and is due to be completed by late September 2019.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure said:
 “We know that arts and culture positively contribute to people’s well-being and the wider economy.  Venues like LAR play a crucial role in making an area a great place to live, work and visit.”
 
The work will mean that there will be a 50% reduction in the building’s carbon footprint, plus increased accessibility, with a new and reliable lift, better, more accessible toilets and baby changing, plus increased and improved seating with enhanced visibility in the auditorium.
 
Helen Hughes, Volunteer CEO of LAR said: “I’m thrilled that work is happening! Although most of the money is being spent behind the scenes it’s great that we will have new comfortable raked seating in the auditorium along with air conditioning.
 
The main entrance will revert back to the original site on castle square as LAR also take on the ground floor of the building for the first time.  This space will have a brand new café and the Visitor information Centre and Box-Office will be combined in a visible area at the front of the building.
 
Lyndon Goode Architects developed an ambitious masterplan that will see LAR become one of the best rural venues in the region.
 
Laura Davies, Project Architect, said: “The scheme respects and enhances the 1839 building’s neoclassical Victorian architecture, and its long history as a venue for social gatherings.  We are optimising the environment for all of the uses of the building from cinema, comedy, live music and theatre, to community spaces, to help secure the venue’s future as a regional beacon for the arts, culture and community.”
 
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow has been a great supporter of this project from the outset. He said: “It is great news for the whole community of Ludlow and South Shropshire that LAR can now begin their major transformation project – and look forward to an exciting and sustainable future.”
 
Peter Knott, Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “The Ludlow Assembly Rooms is an important cultural venue which is much-loved by residents and visitors alike.
 
“We are delighted to be supporting the development of the Assembly Rooms so it can continue to bring vibrant programmes of great arts and culture to the people of the town and surrounding areas long into the future.”
 
 
The auditorium will be up and running again by the end of September but you don’t need to wait that long to enjoy films or live music as LAR have continued to offer a smaller programme in the Oscars and Studio rooms.  The summer season is just being finalised now and will be online in the next few weeks.