Artefacts from the museum collection will be returned and staff will undergo training ahead of the reopening of the Grade II listed Stephenson Memorial Hall later this year. Operating under the new name 1435, the building now has a 625-seat theatre, an expanded museum, two bars and flexible spaces which can be used for meetings and events.
Chesterfield’s annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will be the first production with more shows and museum exhibitions due to be announced soon.
Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We cannot wait to welcome residents and visitors into 1435. 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 council’s contractor G F Tomlinson has created a new internal layout, rewired the building entirely, installed a new heating and ventilation system, a new roof and structural works as part of the extensive renovation.
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.”
The new name of the building celebrates one of railway pioneer 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 the new 1435, which will bring visitors together through arts, culture and heritage while creating fresh links across the community.
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 more than £600,000 which is being used for 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.
To find out more about 1435 and look at upcoming events visit: https://chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk
1. Official handover
Kevin Dodds (construction director at G F Tomlinson), Christine Durran (chief executive at Chesterfield Borough Council), Cllr Kate Sarvent (cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council), Cllr Tricia Gilby (leader of Chesterfield Borough Council) and Les Needham (head of business development at G F Tomlinson) at the official handover of the building following renovation. Photo: Submitted
3. Heritage preserved
Historic features of the theatre have been retained. Photo: Submitted
