An Ipswich-based building firm has helped to give an Essex theatre a new lease of life.

East Anglian Daily Times: SEH BAC West Cliff Theatre renovation at Clacton-on-Sea. Picture: SEH BACSEH BAC West Cliff Theatre renovation at Clacton-on-Sea. Picture: SEH BAC (Image: SEH BAC)

SEH BAC has transformed the West Cliff Theatre at Clacton-on-Sea, which won its £10,000 community giveaway competition, by replacing dilapidated old windows with new ones.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the theatre to mark the completion of the work.

“It’s great to see West Cliff restored back to its former glory,” said the firm’s sales and marketing director Norman Hornigold. “Our aim for the community giveaway was to reward a beloved community building with the much-needed improvements it deserves. There was no worthier a winner than Westcliff, with the new windows ensuring the theatre can continue to operate and enrich the local community for decades to come. We’re so proud of what’s been accomplished and we couldn’t be happier for West Cliff and the people of Clacton.”

The new windows will help to reduce the running costs of the theatre which is mainly run by volunteers and donations after government grants and funding ceased.

The theatre, founded in 1894, welcomes more than 35,000 guests to its variety of performances every year.

The renovation was completed ready for the Summer Show – the theatre’s annual event which it has hosted since opening its doors more than 120 years ago.

“As you can imagine, we are so pleased with the completed work and we cannot thank SEH BAC enough,” said theatre manager, Paul George.

“We rely heavily on donations to keep the doors open but finding £10,000 ourselves would be incredibly challenging. We’re so grateful for SEH BAC’s support, transforming the theatre and allowing us to continue to entertain the community for years and generations to come.”

SEH BAC is part of Ipswich-based One Group Construction.