The Capitol Horsham closed its doors on 4 January this year to begin its first major refurbishment in more than 20 years.
Work is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion in early November 2026, in time for the festive pantomime season.
Alongside transforming the popular theatre and cinema venue, a key element of the £10 million project was to deliver significant social value benefits for local people, businesses and community organisations beyond the venue itself.
When Horsham District Council appointed award-winning contractor Willmott Dixon Interiors to undertake the refurbishment, a key objective was to ensure the project created a positive legacy through local employment, skills development, community engagement and sustainable supply chain practices.
With the project now nearing completion, it has generated an estimated £270,000 in Social Return on Investment.
Key achievements delivered by Willmott Dixon Interiors on behalf of Horsham District Council include:
- Employing a high proportion of local labour and working with small and medium-sized businesses across the area.
- Delivering a ‘Routes into Construction’ programme, helping local people learn about and access careers in the construction industry.
- Working with the West Sussex Careers Hub to provide work experience opportunities for 12 local students, giving them hands-on experience of real project scenarios and insight into a wide range of careers within the construction and design sectors.
- Utilising Horsham District Council’s Wellbeing Team to deliver health and wellbeing talks and hosting on-site health checks for employees and supply chain partners.
- Supporting 4 The Youth to improve their Horsham Youth Centre through a programme of volunteer work with supply chain partners to renovate its garden, including engaging young people in the final stages of the project. A total of 75 volunteer hours will be donated.
- Collaborating with Think Futures, the West Sussex youth careers service, to host site visits and presentations for young people exploring career pathways into construction.
Horsham District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Mark Baynham said: The refurbishment of The Capitol is about much more than upgrading one of our most valued cultural venues.
From the outset, we wanted this investment to create lasting benefits for local people and businesses, as well as delivering a modern, improved theatre and cinema for residents and visitors to enjoy.
"By appointing Willmott Dixon Interiors, we ensured social value was embedded throughout the project, resulting in meaningful support for local enterprises, skills development opportunities and community initiatives.
"We are incredibly proud of the positive impact the refurbishment has already had across the District.
"It is exciting to see the project progressing so well as we move closer to reopening in November, and we look forward to sharing further updates in the coming months.”
Shannon Kerrigan, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors added: “Social value is an integral part of every project we deliver but its impact is strengthened by the commitment of several partners working together.
Our partnership with Horsham District Council, our supply chain partners and local community stakeholders has created opportunities across the local area, particularly for those taking the first steps in their career.
“The Capitol is an important part of the Horsham community, and as we approach completion, it is great to see the project delivering benefits that will continue long after the building reopens.”
Tickets for this year's pantomime, Dick Whittington, are already selling fast, so audiences are encouraged to book early, via The Capitol website, to avoid disappointment.