An additional workforce has been put in place to ensure that the opening of the new Everyman Theatre goes ahead on time.
Extra builders from Northern Ireland-based contractors Gilbert Ash have been recruited to keep the redevelopment of the theatre on course to open in early 2014.
Pippa Lea, the theatre’s PR manager, told JMU Journalism: “The building is very, very close to practical completion and should be finished this month.”
Two months ago, some workers were sent back to Northern Ireland whilst the floors were being laid for the theatre, as building work on other areas of the site was put on hold.
Those workers have now been brought back to the Everyman site, which brings the total number of builders on site to approximately 100.
Mrs Lea insists no further expenditure has been involved in the recruitment of extra contractors to work on the £28m project.She said: “There have been no additional costs so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way.”
The original Everyman Theatre closed in July 2011, when it was decided it was in need of a revamp. The last major production before the redevelopment was William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, starring David Morrissey, a former member of the Everyman Youth Theatre and star of The Walking Dead.
The new building will feature the familiar wrap-around design but it will come with many more facilities, including a pavement café, rehearsal and workshop facilities, as well as workspaces dedicated to writers, young people and community groups.