The Capitol Horsham closed its doors on 4 January this year as it prepared for its first major refurbishment in more than 20 years.
The good news is that work is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion in early November 2026, just in time for the panto season.
A key focus of the refurbishment is ensuring that The Capitol can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, with improvements designed to create a more welcoming, comfortable and inclusive experience for all visitors.
In the theatre auditorium, leading seating specialists Kirwin & Simpson have installed new seating, including a flexible configuration that will enable wheelchair users to have more choice allowing them to sit more easily alongside friends and family.
The cinema facilities are also being completely upgraded. Newly installed flooring will allow a more adaptable seating layout in Screen 2 increasing capacity for wheelchair users while improving sightlines, positioning and overall comfort for filmgoers.
New more modernised high quality toilet facilities have been installed on the ground floor. A key highlight of the refurbishment is the introduction of enhanced accessibility features. The redesigned ground floor toilet facilities will include a dedicated Changing Places unit – a specialist provision designed to support visitors with complex needs.
The facility will offer generous space for wheelchair users, a ceiling track hoist system, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a wash basin, a handheld shower and non-slip flooring.
This gives people with disabilities and their carers the ability to visit the venue in full confidence that their needs will be met.
Once re-opened The Capitol Horsham will continue to host regular dementia-friendly and relaxed cinema screenings which feature lower sound volumes, house lights being left on for easy navigation and freedom to move around the auditorium.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Tony Frankland, said: "The refurbishment of The Capitol is about much more than upgrading a building. It is about creating a modern cultural venue that is welcoming, comfortable and totally inclusive.
"We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything The Capitol has to offer, whether that's seeing a show, watching a film or taking part in community events.
These improvements will remove barriers to accessibility and enable all visitors to enjoy the wide range of events at the venue with confidence.
"It's exciting to see the project progressing so well, and we look forward to sharing further updates as we move closer to reopening in November."
Tickets for next year's pantomime, Dick Whittington, are already selling fast, so book early, via The Capitol website, to avoid disappointment.
For the latest refurbishment updates, visit The Capitol website.