The Capitol Theatre, Horsham

Protecting a cultural landmark

Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering the £10m refurbishment of The Capitol in Horsham for Horsham District Council, the first major refurbishment of the district’s theatre and cinema venue in more than 20 years. Procured through the SCAPE Construction framework, the project future-proofs a building that celebrated its 90th birthday in June 2026, while preserving the art deco character its audiences love.

Behind a much-admired front of house, the building needed significant investment. Plant and engineering systems were reaching the end of their life, the heating and cooling system had been failing repeatedly, and plumbing, ceilings, carpets and seating all needed attention. The council shaped its plans around customer survey feedback, and our work spans the entire four-storey, 3,196m² building: the theatre auditorium, two cinema screens, main and gallery bars, box office, toilets and public areas.

Delivering to a deadline

The Capitol closed after its final pantomime performance on 4 January 2026, and reopens in time for the 2026 pantomime season in November. The whole programme has been built around that fixed date. Demolition and strip-out were completed in the first months, with all auditorium seating removed and the full auditorium scaffolded so that every wall and ceiling surface could be repaired, redecorated and fitted with new house lighting. The project remains on schedule for reopening.

What we are delivering

• Full repair and redecoration of the theatre auditorium, reinvigorated in rich dark green with gold accents, plus a new house lighting system.
• New theatrical seating in traditional red, with improved layout and raking bringing auditorium capacity to around 420 seats.
• Flexible seating layouts with more space for wheelchair users, so disabled visitors can sit alongside friends and family.
• Upgraded cinema screens with new flooring, new seating and - by popular request - cupholders.
• Reconfigured ground floor toilets with additional cubicles to reduce interval queues, and a dedicated Changing Places facility for visitors with complex needs.
• A redesigned bar for faster service and more seating, a refreshed box office, and more space to relax in the Gallery area.
• Replacement of end-of-life gas-fired boilers with a new heating and cooling system, alongside wider mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades and external improvements.

Social value that lasts beyond reopening

From the outset, Horsham District Council wanted the investment to create a positive legacy through local employment, skills, community engagement and sustainable supply chain practices. As the project nears completion, it has generated an estimated £270,000 in social return on investment, including:

• Work experience for 12 local students through the West Sussex Careers Hub, giving hands-on insight into construction and design careers.
• A ‘Routes into Construction’ programme helping local people learn about and access careers in the industry.
• Site visits and presentations for young people with Think Futures, the West Sussex youth careers service.
• 75 volunteer hours with our supply chain partners to renovate the garden at 4 The Youth’s Horsham Youth Centre, involving young people in the final stages.
• Employment of local labour and small and medium-sized businesses from across the area, plus health and wellbeing talks and on-site health checks delivered with the council’s Wellbeing Team.

What people are saying

"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."

Shannon Kerrigan, Social Value Manager, Willmott Dixon Interiors

"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."

Cllr Mark Baynham, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Horsham District Council