Willmott Dixon Named Contractor for £29m Maltings Theatre Revamp in Berwick

Northumberland County Council’s cabinet has approved Willmott Dixon as contractor for a £29m construction contract to transform the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, part of a wider £36m project budget that has grown by £7.7m. The decision is subject to full council approval of additional borrowing and to the proposal clearing call-in.

The Eastern Lane scheme will bring the main theatre, café-bar and dining areas onto one floor with views across the River Tweed. Lower floors will be reworked into a main cinema and a smaller boutique screen with direct access from Shoe Lane, and a rehearsal room, meeting room and further public space will sit above the main theatre level.

Funding comes from three sources: £28.5m from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and £2m from the council’s strategic regeneration budget, both already committed by cabinet, plus £2.6m through borrowing that still needs full council sign-off. Temporary facilities at Berwick Barracks will keep Maltings programming running during construction.

Preliminary works are targeted to start in November, with main construction beginning in the new year. Opening is planned for spring 2029.