The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford

What?

• The Place, which stands for Performance Library Arts Children Experience, is a centre for information, education and entertainment
• To create The Place the existing Oakengates Theatre in Telford was refurbished and extended. An adjacent supermarket was converted to provide more space for the venue and improved access for disabled patrons and artists. As a result the venue now offers: a 650 seat auditorium and hall space for events and hire; a library; a children’s centre including 0-5 years day care services; a gallery; meeting rooms; a training centre; a café and office space
• The multipurpose building attracts people from a 50 mile radius of Telford
• In addition to the extensive range of programmed events, the centre hosts a youth summer school; an arts club for young people with disabilities; a night club for adults with learning disabilities; community led events such as the Chinese New Year and a series of performing arts and education workshops for young people and the community

When?

• The supermarket next to the theatre was purchased in 2001, with the building work beginning early in 2004 and completing in July 2005

How?

• The Oakengates Regeneration Partnership was established in January 1999 with the aim of reversing the decline in the town centre
• The Partnership held a public consultation and agreed a plan for the future, focusing on the town’s theatre. One of the main objectives was to boost economic outputs from the theatre
• Telford & Wrekin Council led the project. Funding was provided by Advantage West Midlands, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Learning and Skills Council, Arts Council England and Energy Efficiency. Total funding came to £2.8 million

Summary

• The Place represents a new phase in the life of the theatre, offering new services and increased service provision, with extended hours of 10am-8pm, six days a week
• The building has brought economic benefits to the town, including six new jobs and increased provision for hard to reach groups
• The building is occupied by four new businesses which are boosting the town’s economy
• The bringing together of two key services also saw the creation of a unique role to cover the box office and library and information functions
• The Place is helping to create new opportunities for both younger and older people. The library has doubled the number of users. The community spaces and café are regularly used and the Children’s Centre is currently at full capacity