The Government has agreed that £1.73 million of funding awarded to Worcester City Council can be used to bring the vacant Corn Exchange building back to life, as phase two of the Scala arts centre scheme.
The investment will allow the Corn Exchange in Angel Street to be refurbished as a base for food and drink sales at the arts centre, and also as an additional performance space.
It will open alongside phase one of the project – the refurbishment of the neighbouring former Scala cinema as a new centre for live performance, independent film, music and more – in autumn 2026.
The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee will be asked on 15 July to approve the release of over £2 million from the Government’s Cultural Funding programme to support the ongoing regeneration of Worcester city centre.
Leader of Worcester City Council, Councillor Lynn Denham, said: “Worcester was one of only a small number of places to receive Cultural Funding from the Government to help improve economic and social outcomes.
“The development of the Corn Exchange will ensure that Scala arts centre will be able to offer the complete experience when it opens next year. This means that visitors will be able to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat before a night of music, comedy, film or other entertainment in the heart of Worcester.
“It’s another piece in the jigsaw of this fantastic initiative that will change the character of Angel Street and Angel Place, making it one of the most attractive destinations in our city.”
The Government has also provided £370,000 for the refurbishment of 6 Angel Place, next to the Scala building. The former party shop is currently being used as a base by construction contractor Speller Metcalfe, which is carrying out the refurbishment work. The extra funding will allow it to be converted into an office space for Scala and a co-working space for local creatives.
A further £233,000 of funding will be used to create an outdoor performance and social space in Angel Place, in front of the main Scala building.
A full report on the funding will be considered by the City Council’s Policy and Resources Committee on Tuesday 15 July. The committee will be asked to agree to the development of architectural designs and the commissioning of the refurbishment work.
Scala will be run by a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), with five founding Trustees having just been appointed. When it opens in 2026, the new arts centre will be a place where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Scala will offer live performance, independent film, music, talks, digital experiences, dance, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and special events.
Keep up to date with the development of Scala on the venue's website.
Watch the Policy and Resources Committee meeting.
