The re-built Duchess Theatre will seat 254 people with comprehensive disabled facilities.  It will be a traditional-style theatre with raked seating in the auditorium and fully upholstered tip-up seats.  With full access for disabled patrons and performers, the theatre will be suitable for any type of presentation, performance, business meeting or conference requiring a stage as the focal point.   The auditorium will have a fully equipped sound and lighting rig with both over stage and front of house lighting provided.   An electric lift will give access to the stage for disabled users.   There will be an orchestra pit, which will be capable of housing up to 17 musicians and their instruments.   

On offer in the new venue will be a wide range of arts and entertainment opportunities that it is anticipated would attract visitors from outside of the area.  Alongside high-profile shows and national touring performers, it will be a home for local groups and other talent in the area.   The Duchess Theatre won’t just be a venue to come and see performances at affordable prices for our community; there will be plenty of opportunities for people to take part, learn new skills and develop new interests in the performing arts, entertainment and all aspects of the media. 

The New Community Suite will act as a multi-use purpose-built community space with the potential for educational use, occupational/vocational workshops, smaller recitals, coffee mornings, ticket sales, meetings, exhibitions, conferences, product launches, art and other displays/sales throughout the day and during the evening as the interval drinks location.  With a licensed bar, coffee/snack bar, food preparation area and kitchen, toilets, cloakroom, box office and display facilities, the Community Suite will be both practical and flexible in its use. 

The Devonshire Suite currently acts as a multi-purpose focal point for the Chatsworth Centre until the new complex is re-built.  As an independent venue from the theatre and proposed new Community Suite, and on completion of the re-build, the suite will revert to its original intended use as a rehearsal room and scenery preparation and storage area. 

The John Barker Studio, because of water damage and neglect, is currently in a distressed state and needs to be bought back into service and be available for use as a dance studio, rehearsal area and for other theatrical uses. 

With its enhanced facilities, the new Chatsworth Centre will have the potential to maximise its revenue‑generating opportunities, as it will have room for a number of weekly concurrent bookings for exhibitions, displays, meetings, classes and full-scale productions, which has never before been possible. 

Market Potential 

The Chatsworth Centre will be open to existing and new customers regardless of experience, age, gender, race, religion or disability.   The new design is mindful of current legislation with regard to The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and The Protection of Children Act 1999.  It will provide arts and entertainment for all tastes and anyone that hires the Duchess Theatre or Devonshire Suite will be guaranteed an intimate and flexible facility.   

A dedicated multi-purpose arts centre and purpose-built theatre with ample parking, open at reasonable cost to any non-professional or professional organisation, will provide an unrivalled facility in the Borough of Erewash and surrounding district.   The ability of the Chatsworth Centre to attract a large number of diverse groups has already been demonstrated.   The new Chatsworth Centre will provide a service like no other in the area.  The openness and versatility of the Centre, willing to cater for all events and in a central position surrounded by excellent car parking facilities, make it the ideal town centre venue in Long Eaton to attract even larger numbers of bookings than in the past.   

Before the fire in 2003, it was the performance home to 15 societies who each booked the Duchess Theatre for between two and four weeks each year.   All have pledged to return to the Duchess as soon as the re-build is completed.   During 2005, with the anticipated increase in size, two more groups – The Studio Players and Long Eaton Operatic Society – have said they wish to book the new theatre for an additional two weeks each.   Erewash Borough Council have stated they will wish to initially use the venue for 5 – 6 weeks during the summer months for community based activities aimed at young people.