A theatre is unveiling its £20,000 investment just in time for the start of its 2024-25 season.

Audiences at the Theatre Royal in Smithy Street, Ramsbottom, will notice new signage which has been added around the outside of the building to make sure it is clearly visible as a theatre from every angle.

Summerseat Players has owned the Theatre Royal since 1991 when it developed the former Royal and Empire Cinemas building.

Chair of Summerseat Players, Emma Morris, said: “We have carried out a complete refurbishment of the lounge and bar and had new carpets fitted, redecorated, repainted the doors and improved the bar which now has pumps serving draught casked ales.

“The chairs and tables have been resprayed and given a makeover and we have had a bespoke unit specially built to house our history.

“The top shelf features items dating back to the ‘Royal’s’ past, including an original advert in the Bury Times.

“There is also a tribute to the Summerseat Players’ past with a photo of founder Les Norris and a bill for ‘Celebration’ – that was the first production we staged in November 1969, when we were still based in Summerseat; he made sure the players reprised it often.”

As well as being the home of the amateur dramatic group, Theatre Royal is also a base for The Young Company and The Square Street Singers.

The groups all rehearse and perform in the building both on the stage with its auditorium of 204 seats or in the upstairs more intimate Geoffrey Sword Studio which accommodates 62 people seated in the round.

Emma said: “The refurbishment was fully funded by Summerseat Players Limited and we are now hoping to welcome others to rent out our facilities.

“Over the summer we hired the main theatre out to Valley Academy for their production of Made in Dagenham, Ramsbottom’s Debra Simmons School of Dance, and the Bury Footlights.

“In October Bury Hospice is staging a charity night, An Evening with Julie Hesmondhalgh, and we are always interested to hear from any organisation that may wish to hire a space from us.”

This season starts with The Great Gatsby running from September 21 to 28 and casting is currently taking place for a world premiere – Larry, the Larry Grayson story by Tim Whitnall – next June.

Emma said: “Tim wrote Flying Ducks, which we premiered, and we also staged Morecambe, his tribute to Eric Morecambe, which is featured in our memory display unit.

“There is something for everyone in the programme we have for this season and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone along to the new-look Theatre Royal.”