Work Begins on New Bar at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Work has begun at Newcastle Theatre Royal to transform the former DatBar into a new bar at 11 Market Street that will be open to members of the public and theatre audiences.
Contractors Meldrum Facilities Ltd started work in April, stripping out fixtures and fittings and preparing the area over two levels for building work to commence. It is expected the works will take around two months, and leaders at the theatre hope to open in the summer as part of continued moves to make the building open to more people for more of the time.
The theatre has been working with architects MawsonKerr and interior designers Design North, who created the visual strategy for the theatre’s own coffee and wine bar 100 Grey Street, which opened in December and is located at the front right of the iconic building in Grey Street in the old Booking Office.
New Computer-Generated Images (CGIs), show the space at 11 Market Street will be fresh, contemporary, and welcoming. The ambience will be relaxed with muted and earthy tones throughout, complemented by textures which will include luxury fabrics, corrugated ceramics, and sleek brass fittings with a steel link-chain ceiling installation.
A concept artist has been commissioned to produce artistry which will form a visual centre-piece through digitally enhanced wallpaper on key walls. The new venue will be accessed via Market Street and the theatre itself from the existing Stalls Bar, which is currently closed for the duration of works. The artwork, which is yet to be created, will subtly connect the new public space to the theatre and will contain clues to the building, its history, and its usage.
Like 100 Grey Street, the new venue - name yet to be revealed - is a key part of the theatre’s strategy to be inclusive, to welcome more people to enjoy the building, and strengthen financial resilience with diverse and robust income streams.
Newcastle Theatre Royal Operations Director, Siobhan Lightfoot, said: “We are proudly known for creating moments of magic on and off the stage and we’re excited to expand upon our offering by opening a fresh and inviting new venue in the centre of Newcastle.
“As the city enjoys increasing inward investment and a growing visitor economy, we want to celebrate and share our beautiful building. Our new venue will be open to members of the public in the day and evening, and open to patrons coming through our doors to enjoy our programme of world class shows”.
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Image: (C) Mawson Kerr
