It will be five and a half years since Jersey Opera House closed its doors, before theatre-goers can take a look inside once more.
The reopening of the iconic Jersey building has been delayed again until autumn 2025, pushed back from its previous plan to put on shows in the spring.
Andy Eagle, Interim Theatre Director, said this is due to additional works needed on the building:
"It is important that we get ourselves fit for purpose and have the theatre that Jersey deserves, and that audiences and participants expect.
"We are going to be incorporating some additional works to the venue, particularly the improvements to the lighting and stage area.
"This is to attract the best shows from the UK and provide an excellent service to those hiring the building which includes the local community, and it will take a bit longer, but it will be worth the extra wait."
Scaffolding comes down at Jersey Opera House
However, major restoration building works are due to be completed by Christmas Eve this year, when Ashbe Construction will hand back the keys to the theatre's bosses.
The theatre closed during the Covid-19 pandemic but was unable to re-open due to a number of safety concerns.
£12.7 million has gone into restoring the building and bringing it up to standard.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW:
Ben Cairney, Ashbe Construction
Ben Cairney from Ashbe Construction tells us environmental concerns have driven some of the construction choices he's made:
"One of the main strategies during the procurement of the work was that the building was going to need to be decarbonised and made more sustainable.
"The main part of that is the mechanical and electrical infrastructure so we've replaced the power main coming into the building, all the lighting has been upgraded, the ventilation system, the plumbing, everything has been completely renewed in terms of what actually feeds the building.
"That allows it to move away from CO2 intensive energy sources and more towards a sustainable future."
He can't wait for audiences to see it:
"When people come in to enjoy their first show, I think the point is to come in and absorb the auditorium, because it looks absolutely incredible.
The level of detail and craftmanship that has gone into it, is something that I know we're proud of, and I hope that islanders are proud of for years to come."
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