The Capitol Refurb Project

How long will the refurbishment take?

The Capitol closed after the final performance of Robin Hood on 4 January 2026 and will reopen in time for Dick Whittington on 29 November 2026.

Why does The Capitol need refurbishment?

Whilst many kind customers compliment us on our aesthetic look and feel, there was a lot of make-up being applied over the cracks! During your average visit, you might not have noticed the leaking roofs, failing plumbing, damaged ceilings or stained carpets – and perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to avoid a torn, stained or damaged seat! Behind the scenes, most of our plant and engineering components have reached end of life and our heating/cooling system has been repeatedly failing on us over the last year. To future-proof the venue and improve the customer experience, significant investment needs to be made at this time.

We’re coming to the end of the project – what changes have been made?

All of the required demolition and fabric works were carried out in the first few months. The seats were removed from the theatre and cinema screens, making way for new seating to be installed. A full repair and redecoration of the theatre auditorium has been completed, along with the installation of a new house lights system. Our end-of life boilers have been removed and a replacement heating and cooling system has been brought in. The ground floor toilets have been reconfigured to provide additional facilities for customers, including a Changes Places facility to empower customers with complex needs to access the venue in comfort. The bar has been redesigned to increase speed of service and provide more seating. The Box Office has been refreshed with a new counter and further seating options in the glass atrium area. The toilets upstairs have been updated, and customers can expect more seating and space to relax in the Gallery area. External signage has been installed and the outside seating area has been refurbished with a fresh coat of paint and landscaping which will eventually mature into green space.

What’s left to do in the final weeks?

The keys have been handed back to The Capitol and our staff are now back on site finishing off our final IT upgrades, stocking up the venue and carrying out backstage maintenance. Our Technical team are busy preparing the set for our festive pantomime. Comprehensive FOH staff training will also ensure our service runs smoothly once the doors are open.

Are you still selling tickets for Panto and 2027?

Tickets are still available to book online and our Box Office phone lines are open from 10am-3pm Tuesday-Friday on 01403 750220.

Will the refurbishment increase the theatre capacity?

The seating in the main auditorium has been replaced with theatre seats from Kirwin & Simpson – a leading provider of theatrical auditorium seating in the UK. There will be a modest increase in the auditorium capacity bringing us to around 420 seats. This will include additional seating for wheelchair users and customers with limited mobility, as part of our aims to enhance our offer around accessibility.

Will the cinemas be retained?

Yes- both cinema screens are getting an upgrade with new seating and an enhanced customer experience throughout. You asked for cupholders – and, we can confirm, we have cupholders!

Will increase in capacity compromise seating comfort?

The additional capacity comes from improved design, layout and raking. When the original seating was installed, it was not a bespoke design and therefore the space wasn’t maximised to its full potential. New theatrical style seating from Kirwin & Simpson has a smaller footprint than our previous seats, increasing the legroom and the feeling of space between each row. The seat foam technology helps to improve occupant comfort, reduce slouching, and promote a healthier spinal curve during long performances.

How much will it cost?

The approved budget for the refurbishment project is £10.2m. For more information around the planning, approvals and financials, please refer to Horsham District Council FAQs on the wider project rationale.