New mural and safety work for theatre approved

Newark's century-old Palace Theatre will be getting more safety improvements and a new art mural after plans were approved by the council.

The Appleton Gate venue first opened as a picture house in 1920.

Built by local entrepreneur Emily Blagg when the Suffragettes were fighting for women's independence and rights, the Grade II listed theatre is owned by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

An application for works was given the go-ahead at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The new mural will be painted onto a wall between the National Civil War Centre and the theatre.

Council officer Oliver Scott said the theme of the mural would be books, celebrating the Newark Book Festival.

Some councillors asked if local authors could feature on the mural, while others argued the books should reflect those published in the 1920s, with council officers set to review recommendations.

New safety features will involve catwalks being installed above the box seats on the upper balcony sections of the theatre, as well as new lighting rigging and safety ladders.

The stage safety curtain, which would be used in the event of a fire, has also been found to contain asbestos, and this will now be replaced alongside its associated lifting equipment.

The changes come after similar improvements were approved last year, including the installation of new LED lighting on the stairs in the auditorium, replacement flooring and the repainting of the walls at the back of the stage.

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