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RESOLVED
 
i)             
That Subject to the budget allocation, works towards the
refurbishment of The Capitol Theatre and equipment for the
operation of the venue as detailed in section 3 of this report be
approved

 
ii)            
The award of contracts (required to facilitate the recommended
refurbishment) to the winning suppliers (i) named on existing
framework agreements, and/or (ii) following a procurement exercise,
be approved and
 
iii)          
Authority be delegated to either the Director of Communities or
Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces, to finalise
the terms of and enter into the required contracts above noted.
 
 
RECOMMENDED TO
COUNCIL
 
i)          To
reprofile £0.846m of capital budget for the refurbishment
works, from 2026/27 to 2025/26 to create a total capital budget in
2025/26 of £1.526m.
 
REASONS
 
i)             
To ensure The Capitol remains up to date and able to provide and
attract a mix of high-quality performances by replacing end-of-life
fixtures and fittings, improving 2 seating in the auditorium and
cinemas and enhancing the overall customer experience and
offer.

 
ii)            
To reduce carbon emissions at The Capitol, meeting the
Council’s aspiration for direct emissions to become net zero
by 2030.
 
iii)          
To maintain and improve the cultural and social benefits of
continuing to provide a multi arts community venue.
 
iv)          
Full Council must approve the capital budget.
 
v)           
To facilitate the refurbishment works being undertaken and to
delegate authority to award associated contracts for this
purpose.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS
IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT
 
i)             
The proposal put forward is considered the best course of action
but 3 other options were considered.

 
ii)            
Close The Capitol and not provide a theatre and arts venue and sell
the current building or redevelop for alternative use. It is
unlikely the private sector would provide a new live theatre in
Horsham Town. Therefore, this option has been seen as undesirable
throughout this process.
 
iii)          
Build a new theatre and arts venue and sell the current building or
redevelop for alternative use. A desktop analysis suggested that
this would be disproportionately expensive (c.£40m) and was
therefore discounted.
 
iv)          
Delay expenditure until (more or all) facilities and infrastructure
reach end of life; this is predicted to be within another few
years. Whilst the boilers at the Capitol could potentially continue
to be used for a few more years, the fixtures and fittings within
the theatre need investment. If the facilities within the theatre
do not meet people’s expectations, many would take their
custom elsewhere, which would have a knock-on financial impact on
the Capitol.
 
v)           
Complete refurbishment of the auditorium, cinemas, toilets and
public spaces alongside roof repairs and further surveys and MEP
validation between April and September 2025 and then reopen for
panto. Close the venue again in 2026 to carry out the MEP upgrade
and install ASHP’s. This option was discounted as the
timescales were considered too tight to gather all the necessary
information and the risk too great.