Historic city building to be transformed.
A major initiative to create a new arts and entertainment centre for Worcester and boost footfall in the city centre has reached a significant milestone, with the construction contractor arriving on site to start work on the new facility.
Scala, based in a historic former cinema in Angel Place, will host live performance events alongside independent film, visual arts, and a wide range of participation-based creative activities, as well as a programme of educational outreach and talent development.
Worcester City Council Leader Cllr Lynn Denham, together with Scala’s interim Creative Directors, Kitty Ross and Hannah Phillips, welcomed James Speller, Managing Director of Malvern-based construction company Speller Metcalfe to the city centre site.
The beautiful art deco building is now set to disappear behind hoardings for 18 months before opening in its new form in the autumn of 2026.
Cllr Lynn Denham said: “When it opens in 2026, Scala will be a new centre for arts and entertainment here in the centre of our city. It will be something entirely new for Worcester, a creative venue focused on participation, live performance, independent film, visual arts and talent development.
“It will be a community space, open daytime and evenings, where people can socialise and experience exciting things. It will complement, not compete with, the arts and entertainment venues that our city already has.
“The vibrancy of our city centre is so important for the economy of all of Worcester, and our wider region. Our £9.68 million works to the beautiful Scala building will unlock private sector investment to help bring new footfall into the city centre and support the established business community.
“This is an incredibly exciting project and I would encourage people to find out more and sign up for regular updates at scalaworcester.co.uk, or to search Scala Worcester on their favourite social media platform.”
James Speller, Managing Director of Speller Metcalfe Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to start work on the regeneration of the Scala building. As a local contractor, we understand how important the new arts and entertainment centre will be for Worcester and the surrounding community.”
Hannah Phillips and Kitty Ross, Co-Creative Directors of Scala added: “This is an exciting moment as the regeneration of Scala begins today! Scala will bring fresh opportunities for audiences, participants and artists alike and be a place where everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to begin developing the programme to bring our vision for this new creative and cultural centre to life.”
The project will see the renovation of the beautiful Scala building in Angel Place, which opened as a cinema in 1922 and was a popular entertainment destination until closing in June 1973. Since then it has been home to many different functions and businesses, with the most recent being a slot machine arcade.
When it opens, Scala will offer three main spaces – The Stage for live performances and other workshops; The Screen for films, live broadcasts, and talks plus, thanks to retractable seating and a spring floor, dance and exercise; and The Box for new and exciting digital experiences, workshops, courses and classes. The facilities at Scala will also be available for private hire.
The neighbouring Corn Exchange, in Angel Street, will be regenerated as part of a second phase of the scheme and will provide food and drink facilities, and additional workshop and performance space.
Hannah Phillips, who is also Artistic Director of Mobilise Arts, and Kitty Ross, currently Director of Dancefest, have been appointed as interim Creative Directors of Scala and are developing the creative strategy and vision for the new venue. Working alongside them is Paul Sutton, Artistic Director of C&T, as Creative Advisory Panel Lead. A Charitable Incorporated Organisation is due to be set up to run the new facility ahead of it opening to the public.
