Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire
12 September 2026
Design: Keith Williams Architects
Address: Leicestershire, central England, UK
Keith Williams Architects Submits Plans To Transform The Concordia Theatre In Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK
Keith Williams Architects has submitted plans to Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council for the renovation and expansion of the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
images courtesy of architects practice
Overview
The Concordia Theatre, is set within a cluster of three 19th century red brick former garment factory buildings originally built by hosiery company Murcutt, Goode & Eady. The Concordia first occupied these buildings in 1972 as a volunteer run community theatre organisation and is now home to 9 different performing arts groups.
The Concordia’s three building estate houses a 390+ seat auditorium, stage house and flytower, a scenic workshop, rehearsal spaces, backstage, costume and props stores, green room, bars and foyers.
The central building containing the auditorium at first floor level has been much altered and extended over time, whilst the two flanking former brick warehouses containing the theatre scene workshop, main bar and theatre studio, retain more of their original character.
Under the title Project 2030, the application includes:
• the transformation of the auditorium focusing on improving access, comfort, seating and sightlines, with a marginal seat number increase to 400+
• increasing the volume of the auditorium by removing the existing ceiling to reveal the huge existing timber industrial roof trusses which will become central to the character of the room
• the extension and remodelling of the flytower, backstage and substage to improve theatricality
• improving sustainability and the energy profile of the building
• the addition of a new public facade to the central auditorium building
• the creation of a new public forecourt and enhanced public realm
The carefully evolved approach to scale, form, proportion, materiality, industrial heritage and context, is intended to achieve a holistic approach across the Concordia’s estate. The central auditorium building with its new public forecourt, will become the focal point within the building cluster providing a rejuvenated landmark within Hinckley town centre. If consented, the strategy will finally give the Concordia the physical and architectural prominence it needs as one of the Hinckley’s key cultural assets.
Andy Chamberlain Trustee for the Hinckley Concordia Association commented… ”This is a really thrilling start to the next chapter of the Concordia Theatre that started with a derelict Victorian Hosiery factory and a vision to provide a permanent dedicated theatre for the town of Hinckley. will ensure the Concordia will continue to entertain the local community for many years to come.”
Keith Williams commented…”This is a really intriguing project which continues our long lineage of commissions for the performing arts. At the Concordia, we have sought to achieve an integration of historic industrial fabric and contemporary performance infrastructure. Our designs set out clear strategies for deep retrofit and renovation as a part of our transformation of this raw, robust cluster of former industrial buildings, updating and modernising the home of the Concordia Theatre.
The design strategy has evolved in positive dialogue with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and if consented will revitalise the Concordia Theatre for the decades ahead”
Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire – Building Information
Consultants working with KWA on the project include:
- Structural Engineer : Webb Yates
- MEP & Sustainability : Webb Yates
- Principal Designer : Ark H&S Consultants
- Fire Consultant : Loren Hughes
- Arboriculturist : MHP
- Ecology : Ecology by Design
- QS : PMP Consultants
Hinckley Concordia Association
Hinckley Concordia Association is the charity that owns, runs and manages the Concordia Theatre, Hinckley, Leics. It is a wholly volunteer led organisation, independent from Local Authorities, providing a venue for local groups to perform musicals, plays and operas alongside a varied programme of tribute acts, local dance schools, ballet and more. With over 120 performances a per season, the Concordia offers Hinckley and surrounding areas the opportunity for live performances that would otherwise be out of their reach.
Project 2030 is a five year plan to improve the core facilities focusing on the auditorium area, that have seen little change in the 50+ years since the theatre opened. It is hoped that through the project not only we will enhance the comfort of patrons but also restore some of the original features of the wonderful Victorian buildings that the theatre inhabits.
For further information please visit the website concordiatheatre.co.uk
Keith Williams Architects
Founded in 2001, by Keith Williams and Richard Brown, Keith Williams Architects is by reputation one of the UK’s leading architectural design practices with a body of work which incorporates a series of exceptional high profile award winning projects for clients in both the private and public sectors.
The London based firm works internationally across a broad range of projects, and is a noted leading designer of museum, gallery, library, civic and performing arts buildings.
KWA’s projects include inter alia the Unicorn Theatre, London, the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, the Novium Museum, Chichester, and in Ireland the National Opera House, Wexford and the DeValera Library and Súil Art Gallery in Ennis, Co. Clare, the latter opening in November 2024.
The firm has received nearing 50 national and international design awards for its work.
For further information visit www.keithwilliamsarchitects.com
Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire building images / information from Keith Williams Architects, 110926
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom
Leicestershire Buildings
Leicestershire Buildings – Selection
Leicestershire Architecture Designs
Joules Market Harborough head office
Design: Edge
photo © Baileys Construction
Magna Park landscape, Lutterworth
Design: Grant Associates
image courtesy landscape architects practice
Loughborough Design School
Design: Burwell Deakins Architects
photograph : Hufton+Crow
University of Leicester Engineering Department
Design: Berman Guedes Stretton
picture : University of Leicester
Curve – Leicester Theatre & Performing Arts Centre
Design: Rafael Vinoly Architects
Curve Leicester
De Montfort University Library
Design: Eva Jiricna Architects
De Montfort University Library
+++
English Architecture
English Architecture Design – chronological list
Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Snape Maltings Building, Suffolk
Comments / photos for the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley, Leicestershire building Architecture design by Keith Williams Architects, England, UK, page welcome
