Jersey Opera House reopening delayed

Jersey Opera House’s reopening has been delayed until next autumn.

Local press has reported around £3m specialist work to replace sound and lighting systems is yet to be completed.

The island’s flagship theatre closed for restoration in February 2023 with plans to restore historic features, add a new glazed structure and improve safety and accessibility measures. The works were initially due to be completed by the end of this year.

The building is still set to be officially handed over from the government of Jersey to Jersey Opera House Ltd by the end of this year, as originally scheduled.

Interim director Andy Eagle says details of the theatre’s first programme once it reopens will be published in May.

In October, politicians in Jersey voted against plans to lower arts funding on the island and will instead continue investing 1% of the government’s overall expenditure in arts, culture and heritage each year.