A theatre in Reading is looking to extend its building to provide more toilets as part of plans to make the venue more accessible.
Progress Theatre, which is on The Mount, close to Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading, has submitted plans to the council to expand the building to including six new toilets and an extended lobby.
The existing building would be extended to the boundary fence, creating a large unisex toilet space, with: five unisex toilets and one unisex accessible toilet.
Progress Theatre says the proposed toilet refurbishment will be of significant benefit to the community as a whole.
The proposed extension will be constructed in a similar style and appearance with no increase in roof height.
The theatre says it has tried to conform with RBC planning policies and is looking to enhance and preserve the buildings appearance and be sympathetic to the conservation area.
A lobby space will be created avoiding the toilet doors opening out directly into the bar area, while the foyer will be opened up.
Aerial view of the theatre's site
Progress Theatre is a self-governing, self-funding theatre group and charity, run by volunteers, and founded in 1946.
The 96-seat venue has a fully licensed bar and is the oldest producing theatre in Reading.
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On its website, the theatre says: “There is wheelchair access and a hearing loop, and we are committed to making further improvements in the coming years to make our building more accessible.”
Celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Reading Abbey Ruins, Progress Theatre will return to open-air theatre for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet back for the summer, with performances planned from July 14-24.
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