Improvement options for a former water-driven-mill building now used as a theatre

After investigating the financial feasibility (and so abandoning the idea) of providing self-generated electricity using hydro-power, it was recommended that the top priority should be the direct connection of an electricity supply, from the mains grid to the building; this would cost £8800. Thereby, the theatre would receive a relatively unrestricted supply of electricity at cheaper unit tariffs. This improvement should be followed by the most urgent repairs being carried out to the building fabric, at an estimated cost of £6990. These repairs are necessary to ensure the continued integrity of the building's structure, thereby inhibiting the on-going deterioration.

The energy and financial appraisal also suggested a priority listing of overall improvements to the building in order to achieve a significant, economically justifiable reduction in energy demand; the recommended options are estimated to cost in total £39819. However, the capital cost of such an upgrading would only be recouped, and the theatre achieve a sustainable future, if the building were to be used more intensively and for a wider range of activities than at present in order to increase its revenue significantly.

All prices as stated are those at August 1991.