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Restoration Repairs and Improvements to the Kings Theatre 2001 to 2009

JUL 01 TO OCT 01 – THE WORK TO RE-OPEN AND RE-LICENSE THE THEATRE

• Health and Safety work to license the theatre, including much rubbish clearance
• Refurbishment of all dressing rooms
• Redecoration of main foyer, dress circle and stalls bars

JUL 02 TO OCT 02 – FIRST STEPS OF RESTORATION

• New heating system
• Motorised safety curtain
• Redecoration and provision of extra ladies toilets

MAY 03 TO AUG 03 – STABILISING THE THEATRE WITH AN H&S GRANT

• Implementation of proper certification for all mechanical and electrical systems
• Improved husbandry and removal of redundant equipment
• Removal of asbestos from safety curtain guides and sealing of asbestos on rear surface
• Renewal of stage lighting cabling in auditorium and upgrade to 26 lanterns
• Replacement of old stage lighting dimmers with new

SEP 03 TO JUN 04 – FURTHER H&S WORK TO IMPROVE THE THEATRE’S CONDITION

• Implementation of H&S procedures, including first aid courses and COSSH
• Strengthening to wooden access ladders and provision of safety hoops
• Clearance of silt and debris from under stage well to allow proper drainage
• Improvements to security system with additional sensors and CCTV surveillance
• Repair of neon “Kings” sign on tower front
• Repair of rotten window in Irving Room and guttering above Albert Road Entrance
• Refurbishment of canopy in Exmouth Road and bay window above
• Strengthening of main entrance portico
• Made access to roof void safe and refurbished auditorium chandelier winches

JUN 04 TO SEP 04 – WORK POSSIBLE DUE TO THE THEATRE’S SUCCESSFUL YEAR

• Repairs to roofs and brickwork to prevent water ingress
• Minor works to tower to prevent further decay
• Repainted lower walls of tower
• Refurbished box office and improved layout
• Provided an audio system for the hearing impaired and a small PA system
• Refurbished the stage bar
• Replacement of IT network cabling and improvements to box office ticketing system
• Refurbishment of old office as a hospitality room
• Tidying of exterior décor and improvements to floodlighting and marketing displays
• Repair and cleaning of main house curtains
• Improve stage flying system with 6 new winch bars for stage lighting
• Removed rotten orchestra pit floor and put back to proper position

OCT 04 TO JUL 05 – SMALL PROJECTS WHILE THEATRE OPEN FOR SHOWS

• Replaced telephone system
• Refurbished old carpenter’s store as a new office
• Redecorated dress circle ladies toilets
• Purchase of a combined network printer and photocopier

AUG 05 TO NOV05 – THE FIRST YEAR OF PROJECTS WITH THE PCC CAPITAL GRANT

• Restoration of the rear elevation of the building
• Installation of a powered flying system over the stage
• Refurbishment of the dress circle gentlemen’s toilets
• Refurbishment of some dress circle doors, including restoration of the original leaded glass
• Installation of some automatic fire door catches
• Further improvements to the IT network and box office ticket system
• Purchase of a new lighting desk

MAY 06 TO FEB 07 - THE SECOND YEAR OF PROJECTS WITH THE PCC CAPITAL GRANT

• Replacement of the advertising sign over the portico
• Refurbishment of the Exmouth Road Elevation of the building
• Refurbishment of further internal doors, including restoration of the original leaded glass
• Installation of some automatic fire door catches
• Repair of the floor of the Irving Room bar and putting the room back in use
• Redecoration of the stalls bar

JUN 07 TO SEP 07– THE CENTENARY YEAR OF PROJECTS WITH THE PCC GRANT

• Restoration of the main auditorium
• Improvements to the architectural lighting of the auditorium
• Improvements to the stage lighting and performance sound positions in the auditorium
• Further refurbishment of internal doors, including restoration of the original leaded glass
• Restoration of the gallery
• Redecoration of the gallery toilets
• Redecoration of the level access corridor to the stalls
• Removal of wallpaper to reveal the Art Nouveau tiling at stalls level

JUN 08 TO SEP 08 - THE FOURTH YEAR OF PROJECTS WITH THE PCC CAPITAL GRANT

• Installation of the second phase of powered flying
• Restoration of the dress circle bar
• Refurbishment of the shower and toilets on the top floor of the dressing room block
• Repairs to the east wall of the stage house

OCT 08 to MAR 09 - THE FIFTH YEAR OF PROJECTS WITH THE PCC CAPITAL GRANT

• Restoration of the tower on the corner of Albert Road and Exmouth Road. This is the main entrance to the theatre