Refurbishment works complete at Chesterfield theatre and museum
The refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall has transformed the historic Chesterfield venue ahead of its reopening as 1435 later this year.
The transformation of the landmark theatre and museum will see the venue reopen with a 625-seat theatre, an expanded museum with improved facilities for hosting prestigious touring works, two bars and flexible spaces for meetings and events.
The new design preserves the heritage of the building while modernising its facilities to enhance the visitor experience.
Works began in December 2023, with Chesterfield Borough Council’s contractor G F Tomlinson officially handing the building back to the council last week.
The council will now complete the finishing touches ahead of the reopening, including moving museum objects and furnishings back into the building and carrying out staff training.
Chesterfield’s annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will kick off the new venue’s programme, with more shows and museum exhibitions to follow.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:
“We cannot wait to welcome residents and visitors into 1435 later this year. The completion of building works is a major step towards reopening and allows us to start preparing the venue ready for visitors to experience it later this year.
“The transformation of this building will help ensure that future generations can experience heritage and culture in an incredible setting, but we’ve worked hard to ensure that there will still be lots of features that our regular visitors know and love.
“This is an ambitious project for Chesterfield, and it will ensure that we can attract more visitors through an expanded cultural offering in this wonderful building.”
The refurbishment has transformed the space into a modern visitor attraction while preserving the building and safeguarding it for future generations.
The works have included creating a new internal layout, rewiring the entire building, installing a new heating and ventilation system, a new roof and carrying out structural works.
Andy Sewards, Chairman of G F Tomlinson, said:
“We are proud to have played a key role in the transformation of Stephenson Memorial Hall into 1435, helping to bring new life to one of Chesterfield’s most important historic buildings. This has been a complex and rewarding project, carefully balancing the preservation of the building’s heritage with the delivery of modern, high-quality facilities that will serve the community for generations to come.
“Working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council and the wider project team, we are delighted to see the completed venue ready to support arts, culture and community activity in the town centre. 1435 is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through strong partnership and a commitment to creating a vibrant, accessible and future-ready destination for Chesterfield.”
Introducing 1435
To mark the start of the building’s new future while celebrating its long history, the venue will open as 1435, a name inspired by one of George Stephenson’s greatest innovations: the standard gauge rail track.
Set 1435mm apart, this became the global benchmark for rail travel, carrying people, ideas and opportunities across continents. That same spirit of connection sits at the heart of 1435, which will bring visitors together through arts, culture and heritage while creating fresh links across the community.
Railways reshaped the world – and they reshaped Chesterfield too. The transformed venue now plays a central role in the council’s wider regeneration of the town centre, designed to welcome new audiences and create vibrant spaces that serve local people for years to come.
Councillor Tricia Gilby added:
“Our new identity marks the start of the next chapter for this building. 1435 looks forward while still honouring the past. We want this venue to be a place where connections across the community can be forged, and we wanted to ensure that this aim is reflected in the name.”
Funding the refurbishment
Funding for the project includes £11 million of a £20 million grant awarded to Chesterfield Borough Council through the Levelling Up Fund.
East Midlands Combined County Authority’s capital grants programme has provided £1 million of funding for the refurbishment.
Arts Council England has contributed over £600,000 towards the new ventilation system and Changing Places toilet.
The additional funding required for the refurbishment has been provided by Chesterfield Borough Council, which owns and manages the building.
Find out what’s on at Chesterfield Theatres and across Chesterfield: www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events/
