What's On

We need YOUR input!

As part of the Canal Quarter redevelopment strategy, Lancaster City Council is considering the permanent closure of both the upper and lower St Leonardgate car parks, along with other city council car parks in the area, in 2026. This move aims to pave the way for new housing developments, which could potentially impact businesses in the vicinity.

YOUR opinion matters! Please take a moment to share your feedback. By participating in this brief survey, you'll help us assess the potential impact of these proposed changes.

Access the survey HERE

Your contribution is invaluable to us. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey and for sharing your insights.

Sincerely,

Lancaster Footlights & Grand Theatre

After many unavoidable delays, we started to re-vitalise our fundraising campaign for the New Foyer but suffered a major setback with the Corona virus pandemic when funding availability was reduced due to other priorities.  The Theatre does not receive any external funding so we rely on the support of you, our supporters, to help us generate funds. The money we receive from ticket sales goes directly to the upkeep and restoration of the theatre.

With £618K raised and £175K already having been spent on site investigation work and detailed design fees, fund-raising has continued and the total in the fund on 31st December 2022 stood at £443.5K. Following further detailed design work to remodel the car park and proposed plaza to fit in with the city redevelopment plans, the estimated cost of building the new foyer increased from 2,65M to £2.84M leaving c. £2.2 still to raise to build this new and exciting facility for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.

In 2022, we managed to secure an additional £635K grant but unfortunately, that grant time expired at the end of March 2023 as we were not in a position to spend the money by then.

The Grand Theatre, under its many names, has been a major part of the social and cultural life of Lancaster since it opened in 1782. Today, as a result of a continual restoration drive, the theatre is in the best condition it has been since the rebuild in 1908 and now operates as one of the key north west venues for amateur drama, music and dance and professional touring companies.