The £3.45m plans to renovate the "jewel in the crown" of Ipswich have officially been submitted.

Ipswich Borough Council discussed the crucial renovations needed at Ipswich Regent Theatre back in July.

At the meeting, the borough council's executive committee was presented the plan by the portfolio holder for culture and customers Cllr Jane Riley.

She then stated: "The Regent Theatre is the jewel in the crown of our town and we would like to push through with some much-needed upgrades for it."

The plans for these have been submitted to the council's planning committee for approval with the help of Sproughton-based agents KLH Architects Ltd.

Cllr Riley had presented this upgrade to the council's executive committee.Cllr Riley had presented this upgrade to the council's executive committee. (Image: Nicole Drury/IBC) The plans include creating larger bar areas, refurbishing Circle Lounge and also increasing the number of toilets in the venue.

Disabled access will also be improved with significant improvements to the venue’s accessible entrance and an increased number of accessible toilets.

Additionally, they are also looking to install a new lift tower and glazing within a covered walkway to create an alternative entrance with a security shutter.

The plans include refurbishments to the bars and lounges.The plans include refurbishments to the bars and lounges. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

The renovation project will be funded by a restoration levy on theatre tickets. 

20p have been added to any tickets above £10, since August 5, this is in addition to the already existing restoration levy of £1.50 - taking the total levy to £1.70. 

As a result, these works are not affected by the recently announced cuts in services at Ipswich Borough Council. 

The first phase of restoration works were completed last year.The first phase of restoration works was completed last year. (Image: Newsquest) This is the second phase of the project, the first came to completion last year, with improved car parks, dressing rooms, backstage areas and catering facilities.

Those improvements helped bring five West End shows to the town theatre. 

The 1,500 seater theatre first opened as a ‘cine-variety hall’ in 1929. Up until the mid-1980s it offered both cinema and live entertainment.

In 1989 the theatre was purchased by Ipswich Borough Council and received front of house renovation before re-opening in September 1991.

If approved the council is aiming to complete the transformation by December 2025.