The Everyman Theatre to launch a new centre for creativity in Cheltenham

The Everyman Theatre has announced its plans to revitalise and re-open a former community centre in Grove Street, West Cheltenham to serve as a permanent base for the theatre’s award-winning Education and Community Department.

The Everyman Education Centre @ Grove Street, is in the heart of two of the most economically challenged areas in Cheltenham and will open its doors in Spring 2026.

The new centre will offer a vibrant and welcoming space for the whole community to experience and enjoy. Offering everything from youth theatres and choirs, to dancing and family creative arts clubs there will be something for people all ages and abilities. The aim of the education centre is to support communities from across Cheltenham and beyond to get creative, with a particular focus on engaging less advantaged children, young people and adults.  It will host free or heavily subsidised arts and culture projects to combat loneliness, foster social connections and improve wellbeing and mental health.

The theatre has a reputation for excellence and is well known across Gloucestershire for introducing the magic of live performance to generations of children and delivering impactful projects within the wider community. The new centre is a natural extension of this work, providing an accessible local base for people to experience creative arts.

Jessica Price, Head of Education & Community commented: “The Everyman Theatre believes passionately that creative arts opportunities have the power to transform lives. Our new initiative to re-energise the former Community Resource Centre in Grove Street, previously run by the brilliant West End Partnership, will allow our education and community work to extend further and help us deliver inspiring, innovative and engaging creative projects for all. We’re so excited to do more of the work we love and reach new communities!

The building is currently undergoing its phased transformation, with plans to be fully accessible, incorporating multi-use activity spaces, break out rooms, enhanced energy efficiency and improvements to the outside of the building that have been well received by its neighbours.  

The Everyman has invested more than £300k so far – including the purchase of the building – and will soon embark on a fundraising campaign to help bring its creative vision to life. The theatre is keen to work with local businesses, organisations and individuals who would like to be a part of this project from the very start.

To find out how you can be involved and help bring this creative vision to life, please email: [email protected].