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Decision details: Transfer of Capital Scheme for Refurbishment Works at Cornerstone Art Centre

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Cornerstone Art Centre has not been upgraded since the building opened in 2008, the building now needs investment to upgrade the centre to provide a warm, welcoming environment to all that use the centre – to include the wider community.

Pre-refurbishment project work is now underway to procure via the Southeast procurement portal, for an ‘internal fit-out’ Contractor who will be able to work with the council and wider Cornerstone project team to construct works in-line with the design, within an agreed timeframe and cost.

The internal refurbishment works will include:

  • Café and Box Office Reconfiguration: The proposed reconfiguration aims to enhance the customer experience by increasing café seating capacity and creating a new, combined reception and café counter facing the entrance. This will improve space utilisation, streamline operations through multi tasking (allowing staff to support both box office and café duties during peak times), and enhance commercial viability.
  • Toilet Refurbishment: The planned refurbishment of the toilets will improve customer satisfaction and the overall quality of the venue’s facilities.
  • External Cosmetic Improvements: These improvements include bolder branding, enhanced external seating, and improved lighting to enhance the building’s visual appeal and attract more visitors, potentially increasing revenue.
  • The Main Auditorium Sound and Lighting Upgrade: Upgrading selected sound and lighting equipment in the main auditorium will improve the quality of performances and the overall audience experience, contributing to customer satisfaction and potentially attracting a wider range of productions

Decision:

To approve the continuation and to progress with the refurbishment works at Cornerstone Art Centre, Didcot, works to include café refurbishment and new furniture, toilet upgrade, technical upgrading new internal and external lighting, and external signage.

To create four new capital cost centres and transfer these funds into the cost centres following the split shown in Appendix Two

To approve the transfer of £405,000 for 2025/26 of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from the provisional capital programme to the approved capital budget programme to fund the internal works at Cornerstone Art Centre.

Publication date: 17/06/2025

Date of decision: 11/06/2025

Accompanying Documents: ICMD – Transfer of Capital Scheme from Provisional to Approved Programme