The Jersey Opera House building
Jersey Opera House is a Grade 2 listed building which has historical significance for the Island. It was closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic but condition surveys had highlighted the significant issues and risks that existed.
The condition surveys were undertaken on the:
- building’s fabric
- mechanical
- electrical and drains
A fire risk assessment was also done.
An investment of £11.5 million was agreed to make sure the Opera House can reopen safely as Jersey’s principal theatre for years to come.
Jersey Opera House
The refurbishment’s objectives
The work’s objectives are to:
- repair the whole structure to make sure it’s wind and watertight
- make sure the theatre meets minimum health and safety requirements
- make sure minimum disability access requirements are met, where practical
Latest updates and what’s next
The first planning application was approved earlier this year and the second planning application for the theatre was submitted.
Work is now underway to appoint the contractor who will lead on the work.
Previous steps
2020
In 2020, a fire assessment was undertaken and condition surveys on the building’s:
- fabric
- mechanical and electrical
- drain
The Opera House closed in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the restrictions were lifted it was decided not to re-open due to health and safety concerns.
The States agreed to establish the Fiscal Stimulus Fund to support smaller-scale, agile projects expected to be completed by December 2021.
The Opera House project expression of interest in Fiscal Stimulus Fund support was accepted.
2021
The business case for the Opera House refurbishment was submitted in 2021 and the recommendation by the Fiscal Stimulus Oversight Group to support the £2.2 million application was approved.
Due to capacity issues, a project manager and quantity surveyor is needed to oversee the project. Colin Smith Partnership (CSP) were identified as the preferred Project Management and Quantity Surveyor partner.
Following discussions between Department for the Economy and CSP, the Department for the Economy requested an extension for the works to June 2022.
The Fiscal Stimulus Oversight Group approved the time extension of scheme completion date to June 2022 and the contracts with CSP were signed.
The tender process is launched to procure an Integrated Design Team to deliver the project. Submissions were reviewed by CSP with their partner HLG, and additional information requested from tenders.
2022
The Department for the Economy recognised that the project fell outside the Fiscal Stimulus Fund requirements, and funding would have to be met from elsewhere. The Minister for Treasury and Resources agreed to project funding from alternative funding sources.
A design team was appointed and updated feasibility work was undertaken. In line with the construction inflation, meeting minimum health and safety requirements pushed costs up to £4.8 million since closure. The Minister for Treasury and Resources agreed to allocation an extra £4.8 million from end of year flexibility.
In July, the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture considered an option paper to complete all essential works, critical or otherwise, in order that the theatre can fully reopen without the need to close it again to complete works. Total cost for these works £11.5m.
The business case was developed and considered by the Council of Ministers.
Capital cost of £11.5 million for the refurbishment of Jersey Opera House included in proposed Government Plan 2023 to 2026.
In December, States members agreed to support funding for Jersey Opera House refurbishment and the first planning application for the theatre submitted.
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