Stockton Globe Theatre

Project value: £22m

Sector: Leisure

We’re ambitious for the borough. If you want to achieve big things you’ve got to deliver big projects. There’s so much public love for the Globe and this is a once in a generation project to bring it back."

Councillor Nigel Cooke

Stockton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing

Closed in 1997, the Stockton Globe had fallen into disrepair. To bring investment and economic activity back into the area, the project received a £4.5m National Lottery grant through the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Enterprise Scheme.

The “game-changing” restoration of the Globe will allow it to become a major economic contributor to Stockton, as the council invests in places to encourage high street footfall. It could generate an extra 200,000 visitors every year to give an annual £18m boost to Stockton's economy.

The music venue has been fully renovated, whilst also preserving this iconic 1913 Art Deco building.

The venue has been transformed into a 3,000 capacity live music and comedy venue which is anticipated to bring up to £18 million a year for the town.

As a heritage building, the restoration was completed to be sympathetic to its roots by using traditional building methods.

Within the venue, the stage is positioned eight metres below ground and as such is liable to flooding. Whilst the building was out of commission, the pumping equipment had been stolen and the whole stage area had become waterlogged. It therefore needed to be made safe prior to work commencing.

The restoration of this iconic building required specialist heritage skills, with particular materials needed that were sometimes difficult to secure. The Wilmott Dixon team also needed to ensure the safety of both their staff and their supply chain partners, however measures were proactively implemented to ensure that the site stayed open.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project plan was consistently reviewed, assessing supply chain and materials availability. If a certain set of materials were not available, the Willmott Dixon team were empowered by the Council to adjust the plan.

The site office, which was a large building adjacent to the Globe, was adapted to ensure social distancing. Stairs were made one way with motion-activated sensors to remind operatives to ensure they remain socially distanced. In addition, hand sanitiser stations were available throughout the site and site offices.

Communication has been critical throughout, key to ensuring safety and ongoing delivery. Each morning, the Willmott Dixon team hold a 'toolbox talks' meeting with all relevant stakeholders. During the meetings the latest guidance and operating procedures are explained and how everyone is expected to work within the guidelines.

Due to these detailed and "safety first" working practices, the project has seen more and more supply chain partners returning on a weekly basis, which helped the project to continue to progress.