The renovation of Chesterfield’s landmark theatre and museum has been completed ready for the venue to reopen later this year.
Stephenson Memorial Hall will reopen later this year as 1435, featuring a 625-seat theatre, an expanded museum with improved facilities for hosting prestigious touring works, two bars and flexible spaces which can be used for meetings and events. The striking new design preserves the building’s heritage while modernising facilities to enhance the visitor experience.
Works began in December 2023 and Chesterfield Borough Council’s contractor G F Tomlinson officially handed the building back to the council last week.
The council will now work to complete the finishing touches including moving museum objects back into the building along with furnishings and staff training, to prepare for the building opening later this year.
Chesterfield’s annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will be the first production at the new venue with more shows and museum exhibitions set to be announced soon.
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.”
Works to the building have been extensive - transforming the space to create a modern visitor attraction whilst also preserving the building and safeguarding it for future generations.
The works have included creating a new internal layout, rewiring the entire building, a new heating and ventilation system, a new roof, structural works and much more.
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.”
To mark the start of the building’s new future – while celebrating its long history – the building will open as 1435 which celebrates 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 the new 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. Now, this transformed venue 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 said: “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 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 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 the Chesterfield Theatres and Museum website.
