The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport is set to undergo a major refurbishment after securing £400,000 in funding.
The grant from the Arts Capital Investment Fund will be used to make the venue more comfortable, accessible and flexible for audiences, artists and community groups.
Improvements to the main theatre will include new seating, refurbishment of the floor, accessible ramp access and increased wheelchair space.
The studio theatre will also receive a new retractable seating bank, designed to make the space more flexible and comfortable for performances, cinema screenings and community events.
Newport City Council, which owns The Riverfront, will lead the refurbishment project in partnership with venue operator Newport Live.
Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for culture and communications, said: “The investment will protect a key cultural venue, make it a more comfortable and accessible experience for audiences and reduce future maintenance pressures.
“Widening access to culture, and strengthening our cultural assets, are key priorities of the Newport culture strategy 2025-2035, and these works will help the Riverfront continue to engage with hundreds of thousands of audience members each year. The works will also enable additional capacity in the main theatre, and support additional income generation, while retaining the studio theatre’s flexible use for cinema, community events, festivals, conferences and workshops.”
The funding comes from the Arts Capital Investment Fund, which is managed by the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government.
The fund supports projects designed to protect cultural assets, improve accessibility and create opportunities for artists, audiences and communities.
Sharon Casey, head of theatre, arts and culture at The Riverfront Theatre, said: “The Riverfront Theatre is at the heart of Newport’s cultural life, and this investment is vital to securing its future. With our auditorium seating now more than 23 years old, audience feedback has highlighted the importance to improve comfort and enhance the visitor experience.
“This investment will enable us to create a more comfortable, accessible and welcoming venue, opening the doors for even more people to experience everything The Riverfront has to offer. We are genuinely excited about this next chapter and the lasting difference it will make for our audiences, artists and Newport’s creative community.”
Work on the project is now progressing behind the scenes, with further updates expected as the refurbishment develops.
