Visitors to Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre are set to benefit from major improvements after the venue secured nearly £900,000 in government funding.
The centre, based on Lancaster Road, has been awarded £899,000 from the Creative Foundations Fund to deliver a refurbishment focused on accessibility and inclusive design. Plans include a new Changing Places facility for disabled users, alongside upgrades aimed at improving visitor experience, sustainability and income generation.
Picture credit: University of Leicester
The project has been shaped by extensive consultation with 288 people from the centre’s communities, as well as input from accessibility specialists All-In and design agency Mima.
Work will be carried out over the next 18 months in partnership with estates teams from the University of Leicester.
The funding comes from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund, a £270 million programme supporting cultural venues across the country.
Jennifer Francis, Chair of the centre’s advisory board, welcomed the funding, saying it would “secure the future of our well-loved building” as it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027.
Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said the investment highlighted the university’s commitment to working with communities to create inclusive cultural spaces.
Centre director Andrew Fletcher added that community voices would remain central to the project, while Arts Council England said the improvements would help make the venue more accessible while reducing long-term running costs.
The funding forms part of a wider package supporting 130 cultural organisations nationwide, with £5 million allocated across the East Midlands.
