The cost of building a new performing arts venue in the city centre has almost doubled.

Worcester City Council has revealed that plans to build a new ‘flexible’ performing arts venue at the listed Scala Theatre in Worcester have risen to £13 million – almost double the £7 million it was expected to cost three years ago.

The council was forced to scrap a move to turn the former theatre in Angel Place into a 500-seat venue having seen costs spiral out of control - and is now working on different plans for the grade II listed building.

The city was given nearly £18m by the government in 2020 to regenerate the northern side of the city centre as part of the Future High Streets Fund – including more than £7 million to renovate and re-open the listed Scala Theatre and neighbouring Corn Exchange building as a new theatre.

READ MORE: Revised plans on the table for Scala Theatre after budget woes

Two years later spiralling construction costs meant that much of the city council’s vision for Angel Place and the surrounding area had to be scrapped so more money could be pumped into the cornerstone Scala work.

This summer the council doubled down and agreed to carry on with the work – despite concerns about rising costs – with plans for a 500-seat theatre abandoned in favour of a smaller ‘flexible’ performing arts venue.

READ MORE: ‘Second best’ or ‘people’s choice’? – divide over latest Scala plan

The modified work would create a space at the grade II listed former theatre in Angel Place to host music, drama, film screenings and comedy.

The redesign is expected to cost at least £250,000 and last month, the council said it would not be signing off on the new plans until there was a “clear consensus” that a flexible and multi-use space was supported by the city’s arts communities.

The city council has since revealed that a ‘creative consortium’ made up of several arts organisations will help design the new performing arts venue and have a say on how it will be run.

These organisations include city-based theatre charity Collar and Tie, dance school Dancefest, arts company Mobilise Arts, arts charity Severn Arts, flexible workspace The Kiln and community cinema operator Vestan.