A MAN behind the refurbishment of a Darlington theatre has been shortlisted for a national award.

Sean McNicholas, operations manager at national construction company Willmott Dixon, has been nominated for his work in transforming the Civic Theatre into the Darlington Hippodrome and creating the Hullabaloo children’s theatre next door.

With cash injections from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council and Darlington Borough Council, the £14.2 million contract was awarded to Willmott Dixon in January 2015.

The scope of the work involved substantial demolition, plus new construction to provide bars, dressings rooms, changing rooms and offices, and then restoring and expanding the capacity of the 850-seater Edwardian auditorium to seat 1,012.

Mr McNicholas has been working in the construction industry for 16 years since graduating in Construction Management from the University of Northumbria.

He has worked with Willmott Dixon for almost a decade and the Darlington Hippodrome was his first refurbishment project.

He said: “The theatre is a well-loved local institution and I had the eyes of the community on me.

“The refurbishment ranks as one of the most extensive remodelling of an Edwardian theatre ever carried out in the UK.

"There was also so much riding on getting the work done for the theatre to open on time for pantomime season, because £50,000 would be lost each day it didn’t.

“I am really proud of the results of this work and I am honoured to be shortlisted for the prestigious Restoration category award.

"The theatre is now a magnificent addition to the local community and should be for many years to come.”

Stephen Kavanagh, chief executive at Chase de Vere, added: “The restoration category award recognises the fantastic renovation work undertaken by building professionals such as Sean.

"The North-East is an important region for our company and the works carried out at the theatre are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also provide significant benefits from the community and a genuine lasting legacy.”

Bill Dixon, former Darlington Borough Council leader, described the project as the “best thing ever to happen to Darlington” when it was completed last year, whilst director Lynda Winstanley said the revamped building kept the future of theatre goers “safe for generations to come”.

For more information about events at Darlington Hippodrome, call the box office on 01325 405405.