Chesterfield’s landmark theatre and museum is gearing up for a relaunch later this year after its multimillion‑pound renovation – complete with a brand new name to mark the start of a fresh chapter in the building’s long history.
Stephenson Memorial Hall, home to the former Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum, will reopen as 1435 – the transformed venue where people and stories meet.
To mark the start of the building’s new future – while celebrating its long history – the name 1435 celebrates one of George Stephenson’s greatest innovations: the standard‑gauge rail track.
Set 1435mm apart, this became the global benchmark for rail travel, carrying people, ideas and opportunities across continents. That same spirit of connection sits at the heart of the new 1435, which will bring visitors together through arts, culture and heritage while creating fresh links across the community.
Railways reshaped the world – and they reshaped Chesterfield too. Now, this transformed venue plays a central role in the council’s wider regeneration of the town centre, designed to welcome new audiences and create vibrant spaces that serve local people for years to come.
1435 will feature a 625‑seat theatre, an expanded museum with improved facilities for hosting prestigious touring works, two bars and flexible spaces for people to gather. The striking new design preserves the building’s heritage while improving accessibility for all.
The Chesterfield Borough Council-owned venue is set to welcome audiences and visitors later this year. Chesterfield’s annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will take centre stage at the new venue in December 2026, with further performances and museum exhibitions to be announced ahead of opening.
The relaunch follows a multi- million transformation of the Grade II‑listed building and forms a key part of the council’s wider Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project. This includes new paving, planting and lighting on Corporation Street, creating an attractive gateway to the new venue.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:
“I am delighted to be able to share the fantastic news that the Stephenson Memorial Hall will be reopening later this year and will be welcoming guests for the pantomime season in December, with its multi-million-pound transformation complete and a new name to mark the next chapter of this building’s story.
“Throughout its life, this building has carried many names, each marking a new moment in its story.
“As it evolves again, it felt right to begin this next chapter with a new identity – one that looks forward while still honouring its past. 1435 does exactly that, celebrating one of Chesterfield’s most influential residents and paying tribute to the borough’s industrial heritage, while reflecting how this venue will connect our community.
“The transformation of Stephenson Memorial Hall reimagines what this building can offer. With an expanded theatre, improved accessibility, new community spaces and our historic collection woven throughout the venue, we’re creating a truly distinctive experience in the heart of the town centre. It’s a place our residents can return to again and again, and one that will draw new visitors to Chesterfield.
“By bringing arts, culture and history together under one roof, 1435 will offer a richer, more immersive experience for everyone who walks through the doors.
“There will also be new spaces that will support events and can be used for education and community activities, so it really will be a place for everyone, and we can’t wait for audiences and visitors to discover it later this year.”
A new volunteering programme for Chesterfield Theatres and Museum is launching. Volunteers will have the opportunity to be part of the next chapter in the building’s history – providing a warm welcome to visitors and helping them to make the most out of their visit.
The volunteering programme will strengthen the link between the community and the venue, offering volunteers the chance to meet new people, connect with local history and theatre, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that volunteering can bring.
The project is being funded through a variety of sources including £1million from the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s capital grants programme.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am delighted to support the renovation of this much-loved venue and look forward to visiting when it reopens.
“EMCCA’s commitment to our communities is about creating places where people feel proud to live, work, and visit, something the renewed 1435 will certainly support in Chesterfield.
“Cultural attractions are a cornerstone of our visitor economy and a vital driver of opportunity. We are proud to support them – helping showcase our region, attract visitors, and create jobs – so the benefits of growth are shared across our communities.”
Funding for the project includes £11 million of a £20 million grant awarded to Chesterfield Borough Council through the Levelling Up Fund.
Arts Council England has contributed over £600,000 which is being used for the new ventilation system and Changing Places toilet.
The additional funding required for the refurbishment has been provided by Chesterfield Borough Council which owns and manages the building.
Construction partner, G F Tomlinson, is leading the refurbishment on behalf of the council.
Andy Sewards, Chairman of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to be playing a key role in the transformation of Stephenson Memorial Hall into 1435, helping to bring new life to one of Chesterfield’s most important historic buildings. This has been both a complex and rewarding project, balancing the preservation of the building’s heritage with the delivery of modern, high-quality facilities that will serve the community for generations to come. Working in close partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and the wider project team, we are creating a vibrant, accessible and future-ready venue that will support arts, culture and community activity in the town centre.”
To find out more about 1435 and see upcoming events visit: https://chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/
