Bosses at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre are in talks to purchase the land occupied by the former Post Office building next door, having been given the go-ahead to build a new £3 million arts venue on the site.

The branch in Lichfield Street closed in 2013 in order to relocate across the road and the building has remained empty ever since.

Now the theatre's Chief Executive and Artistic Director Adrian Jackson is set to realise a vision he first had when he took up his post in 2015, after Wolverhampton Council granted planning permission for the new venture.

One of the architect's drawings of how The Green Room, next to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will look once completed.
One of the architect's drawings of how The Green Room, next to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will look once completed.

He said: "When I first arrived here it wasn't long before I decided I wanted to extend the footprint of the Grand. I was thrilled when the plans were given approval and we have now moved on to the next stage of what is a really exciting project."

The extension - due to be named 'The Green Room' - will be a stand-alone venue hosting a variety of alternative events including exhibitions, concerts and performances by local community groups, said Mr Jackson.

“The type of events we put on will be very different to the shows we have at the Grand, but the intention is for them to compliment each other. The Green Room will be a more intimate, studio-type setting.

One of the architect's drawings of how The Green Room, next to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will look once completed.
One of the architect's drawings of how The Green Room, next to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will look once completed.

"It will be a very versatile facility where we will be able to change the setting easily. We can use it as a conventional 200-seat theatre or alternatively we will be able to retract the seats and do things like laying artificial turf for a completely different experience.

"We won’t just accommodate performing arts - there will also be a whole range of new and innovative projects. It will allow us to be experimental and creative in what we put on and I will be encouraging all areas of the community to use it," he added.

The Grand Theatre - currently celebrating its 125th anniversary - is now working towards raising the money needed to finance the expansion, which Mr Jackson hopes to get off the ground as soon as possible.

“There is a vision to make Lichfield Street and the surrounding area the city centre's art hub. And although the theatre already contributes massively to the local economy, this second space will enable us to achieve so much more for the community in terms of education and culture,” he said.

The former post office in Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, next to the Grand Theatre. Plans have been approved for the site to be turned into a new £3m performing arts venue.
The former post office in Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, next to the Grand Theatre. Plans have been approved for the site to be turned into a new £3m performing arts venue.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council added: "This news comes at a time when we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre and an outstanding new arts and culture venue will play a fundamental part in it." 

Plans for The Green Room have been designed by international architect Keith R. Williams, whose previous work includes Birmingham Repertory Theatre and London’s Unicorn Theatre.