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PRESS RELEASE - 15/1/24

A Bit More Drama at The Muni Theatre.

Pendle Leisure Trust is disappointed to announce that The Muni Theatre will no longer be ready to open in the spring as originally planned.

During the planned extended renovations as part of the government’s Levelling Up Fund, it has become apparent that further work is required to make The Muni fit for generations to come and The Muni will now re-open mid-summer 2024.

During each stage of the 1.56 million pound renovations, the contractors continually check each new area of the building whilst it is exposed, unfortunately, the latest report has highlighted that further structural work is paramount if the building is to be able to open to the public. As with many old buildings, the best-laid plans often need to be amended, as is the case with the 122-year-old Muni Theatre.

Alison Goode, Chief Executive of Pendle Leisure Trust said. “It is with a heavy heart that we’re having to further delay the opening of Colne’s beloved Theatre. We feel the frustration of our patrons and we wish, as they do, that we could re-open The Muni as originally planned. However, it’s simply not possible without further work being done to make The Muni as safe as possible, which I’m sure everyone would agree is the most important factor. For the health and safety of all the visitors to the venue, we simply can’t open the building to the public without this work going ahead!

“We thank The Hippodrome for being able to host the Pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk at such short notice but due to their forthcoming season schedule already in place, the fact that they are volunteer-run and not a commercial enterprise like the Muni, and their own schedule of works as part of the Levelling Up Fund, it just isn’t possible to transfer any further shows from The Muni to The Pendle Hippodrome. Therefore, we’re currently working hard to reschedule as many of the shows from the spring season as possible.

Boys, the construction company currently working on The Muni as part of the 1.56-million-pound renovations said ‘With each layer of history that is revealed during the much-needed renovations, we continually inspect the structure of the building. Unfortunately, the latest inspection has identified that further works are needed to maintain the structural integrity of the building. We continue to work tirelessly to get The Muni Theatre ready for the patrons to enjoy the beautiful venue.

Yvette Saunders, The Muni Theatre Manager is contacting the production companies in due course to reschedule as many of the shows as possible and all tickets already purchased will be honoured for the new dates. Any dates that cannot be rescheduled will have their tickets automatically refunded so there is no need to contact the Box Office. 

- Ends - 


The Muni is an Edwardian theatre situated in the heart of Colne town centre, providing year-round entertainment for all the family, from live music, big name comedians, children’s shows and dance nights, to local and national theatre

Over the years, this iconic landmark has played host to some well-known sporting stars, top class comedians, music legends and stars of stage and screen; and continues to do so, providing audiences with the very best in live entertainment

The theatre can be transformed to provide standing room for crowds at live music events or seating for theatre shows, both of which include seating for 200 people in the comfortable, spacious balcony

The venue has a fully-stocked, licensed bar and a large, sprung dance floor and can be hired for any occasion or event, from wedding receptions and birthday parties, to awards evenings and charity fundraisers

The theatre also boasts another smaller room - The Mini Muni - which can hold parties of up to 60 people, making it perfect for a more intimate occasion with friends and family or a small meeting

Birthdays, christenings, family gatherings, anniversaries… whatever you’re celebrating, The Mini Muni is an ideal location for any occasion. It has a well-stocked, licenced bar, plus a small stage, making it the perfect space for events, celebrations and meetings

The Muni is accessible for wheelchair-users and there are disabled toilets located on the ground floor. For more information about our facilities,  click here

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