AMBITIOUS initial plans for a £1million community arts complex at the British School in Stroud have been revealed.

A partnership led by youth charity Five Valleys Foyer, which owns the grade II-listed Victorian complex in Gloucester Street, has set out proposals which include an 84-seat theatre, exhibition space, workshops and an extension to the Star Anise Café.

Organisers, who have started fundraising, hope it will become Stroud’s third largest arts centre.

Plans have been commissioned by Stroud theatre company Red Dog, Star Anise Café and the Five Valleys Foyer, formerly the Painswick Inn Project. The hall would be fitted out as a small professional theatre, with 56 seats on the floor, 26 seats in a new gallery and lighting and speakers suspended on the roof.

It would become one of the few ‘theatres-in-the-round’ in Britain, where the audience sits in a circle around the action.

Jamie White, a trustee of Red Dog, said: "This would allow the Stroud community to see more live, professional theatre and artistic performances."

Mr White said the layout of the hall meant it could still be used by the Foyer and community groups.

But he stressed the new facility would not compete with The Space because it would be much smaller and have a more defined audience.

Under the proposals, the café would also switch places with the current workshops opposite the hall and be extended.

The groundfloor would contain a restaurant, café area, kitchen and toilets, while the top floor would have two new workshops and a dedicated exhibition room.

Staff hope the move would better link the café to the courtyard.

There would also be a groundfloor extension to the café for use as a conference or meeting room by the Foyer.

Compact earth walling would be used instead of bricks and there would be a roof garden.

The courtyard, which would be partly covered, would continue to be used for exhibitions and performances, including plays and concerts.

The project is expected to cost a total of around £1million, including £60,000 for the theatre.

Organisers hope to raise money through donations, fundraising events, grants and the Government.

Work in the hall is hoped to start during 2010 and continue with the rest of the area by the end of 2011.

Donate to the project by calling the foyer on 01453 759400.

A detailed planning application has yet to be drawn up.

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