Royal Court Liverpool: The next regeneration

Good news for the Royal Court today, as the theatre announced it has secured the cash for the next stage of its refurbishment - with a new extension on the cards.Work is to begin immediately - it won't affect the shows - on a new foyer extension, a brand new box office, improved access by way of a lift to all floors of the building, and first floor terrace (see swanky artists impression, above).The first phase, including a refurb of the stalls and the addition of great new ladies loos, was a huge improvement on things, and you can't say the front of house couldn't do with a bit of an overhaul, so it will be exciting to see what happens.Plans for the 'Welcome Project', as it is called, were endorsed by the city council's mayoral cabinet today, along with a capital contribution of £2 million. The theatre is located in a gateway to the city centre the council is keen to improve for locals and tourists alike (it's called 'the St George's Quarter' now, apparently.The capital contribution will enable the Royal Court Liverpool Trust to lever further public sector funds, including a confirmed grant of £1.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund. So it's all go, and they're not hanging around. Work, by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, is expected to be finished in June 2015.