Sustainability & Lancaster Grand Theatre

Sustainability

Lancaster Grand Theatre Sustainability Statement

We have made Lancaster Grand Theatre as sustainable as we can within the restrictions of our historic building and budgets. Please contact the box office on 01524 64695 if you require any further information.  Lancaster Grand Theatre splits sustainability into three areas:  Productions, Buildings and Operations

Productions

Materials used for set construction are mainly sourced from our off site store which contains a wide mix of scenery and props that are re-used over and over again.  Apart from redecoration (where possible using part used paint cans), we do not allow modification to our scenery flats. Props and costumes are  continually reused.

Buildings

Only 20 years ago, the theatre had very inefficient boilers and no insulation in the roof space.  Now it has:

  • two modern, 90% efficient, condensing boilers with an intelligent boiler control system which optimises heat input into the building in relation to outside temperatures
  • 12 inches of mineral wool insulation in the roof space
  • low energy LED bulbs in the auditorium and (as budgets allow) increasing numbers of LED stage lanterns.

There is infrared control of lights in the foyer toilets and the back-stage water heating system and all external doors have been draft sealed.  The upstairs office has double glazing and insulated plasterboard on the walls which greatly reduces heating needs.  The recent repairs to the façade included replacement double glazed windows at all levels.

Our next step towards increased sustainability is the completion of  the conversion of all lights to LED when funding allows.

Operations

Staff and volunteers are encouraged to switch off lights when areas are not in use.  The boiler control system modulates boiler output to compensate for the heat generated by the usdience members which gives an input of sround 37 kw for a full house.  We now use instant water heaters in the coffee bars and “flask type” coffee filters to minimise energy use.  The auditorium is ventilated by low energy, low noise fans in the roof space to provide ventilation as the temperatures rise.  in addition, there are manually openable wall vents to allow the fans to draw in additional cool air from outside to maintain a comfortable environment.