The UK’s first children’s theatre is set for a major redevelopment to make sure it remains “a place of wonder and inspiration”.

The Polka Theatre, in Wimbledon Broadway, has been granted permission to build a two-storey rear extension, housing a new, larger Adventure Theatre, a creative learning studio and a rehearsal room as well as improvements to the main theatre.

The outdoor play area will be relocated to a new courtyard enclosed by the extension, and reduce in size from approximately 110sqm to 82sqm.

Wimbledon Times:

An artists' impression of the new theatre front. Picture: Foster Wilson Architects

The plans also include combining the café and restaurant into a single café site, building a new ‘green room’ and inserting a new entrance while replacing the current shopfronts.

The plans are expected to increase the maximum capacity by no more than 50 people, from 455 to 505, and no additional parking spaces are planned.

The proposals, which were drawn up with input from arts professionals and young audience members, were unanimously approved by Merton Council’s planning applications committee on Thursday, March 16.

Objections to the plans included increase pressure on parking spaces, disruption during construction work, additional noise, the loss of the restaurant and the height of the extension.

Artistic director and chief executive of the Polka Theatre, Pete Glanville, said: “We are thrilled to have been given the green light by Merton!

“Since we first opened, an estimated 3.5million children have been through our doors, and the building is feeling the strain.

“Polka’s ambition is to create world-class theatre and welcoming spaces where children can play and discover. We are never short of ideas, imagination and energy to make that happen, but we struggle with old and inefficient facilities which are simply not up to the increasing demand for our productions and activities, or the exceptional equality of experience Polka strives to provide.

“Thanks to the support from Arts Council England, the London Borough of Merton, several major trusts and local donors, we are now a significant step closer to realising our long-cherished dream to transform our ageing building.

“As a charity, this will help secure Polka’s long term sustainability, artistically and financially, preserving what is special about Polka – a place of wonder and inspiration for children, schools, families and artists, and a vibrant hub for our local community.”

The Mayor of London, and a patron of the theatre, Sadiq Khan, said: “Theatre has the ability to entertain, enrich and empower children from all walks of life.

“As a patron of Polka Theatre, I’ve seen first-hand the important contribution to children’s theatre they have made and now we have a brilliant opportunity to expand that work for generations to come.

“This redevelopment will be a wonderful example of how London theatres can contribute to the future of arts education and culture in the UK.”

The Polka Theatre is hoping to begin building work in early 2019, with the theatre due to reopen in spring 2020. During the closure period, the theatre plans to explore partnerships and touring opportunities within the borough and nationwide.