Worcester Theatres Unveils New Accessible Platform Lift at the Swan Theatre
22 May 2026
Worcester Theatres is proud to announce the installation of a new accessible platform lift at the Swan Theatre, supplied by Deltron and financially supported by Worcester City Council.
The Deltron Artico PublicLift Access platform lift has been designed to make public and commercial buildings more accessible for everyone. The lift features a Scandinavian-inspired design, illuminated handrails, a backlit panel, and a stylish dark grey finish with tinted glass. Made from 95% recycled materials, the platform lift supports the Swan Theatre’s commitment to both inclusivity and sustainability.
The lift has been installed from an allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) from Worcester City Council, which enables a more satisfactory mobility solution between floors at the Swan Theatre. The new platform lift will support patrons with mobility requirements in accessing the back of the Swan Theatre auditorium, and workshop participants accessing the upstairs pop-up drama studio space.
On Saturday 16 May 2026, Worcester Theatres welcomed board members Richard Faulkner, Alan Studdard and Alan Tidy, alongside Worcester Theatres volunteers and students from the Swan Youth Theatre Saturday Relaxed Sessions, to mark the official opening of the new platform lift. They were joined by Jon Fraser (Chairman of Worcester Theatres), Sarah-Jane Morgan (Chief Executive & Artistic Director at Worcester Theatres), Lynn Denham (Councillor at Worcester City Council), and Jacob Talbot (SYT Saturday Relaxed Sessions student), who delivered speeches before officially opening the lift to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
SYT Saturday Relaxed Sessions are drama sessions for children aged 5 to 14, where young people can develop theatre skills and build confidence in a relaxed environment designed to support children with anxiety or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Sarah-Jane Morgan, Chief Executive & Artistic Director at Worcester Theatres said, “I am incredibly grateful to Worcester City Council for their support in enabling Worcester Theatres to progress our ambitions to make the Swan Theatre more accessible for our patrons. The platform lift is a huge step forward, and we are proud to have made such a significant improvement to the venue. Our special thanks go not only to Worcester City Council, but also to everyone who has donated to our Swan Theatre 60th fundraising campaign. Through the campaign, we have been raising money to support venue improvements such as this platform lift. I am passionate about ensuring everyone can access the arts and benefit from creative experiences. We will continue to deliver positive changes across both the Swan Theatre and Huntingdon Hall for all those who use our spaces.”
Jon Fraser, Chairman of Worcester Theatres said, “The new lift is a tremendous addition to the Swan Theatre and is already being regularly used by our patrons. It looks fantastic, the construction quality is outstanding, and it feels like it has been there forever! I’m delighted that the leader of the City Council, Councillor Lynn Denham was able to join us for the official opening, along with Jacob from the Swan Youth Theatre, who cut the ribbon and declared the new facility open.”
Councillor Lynn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council said, “The City Council is committed to ensuring that Worcester’s vibrant modern culture is open and accessible to all, so I am delighted that we have been able to support Worcester Theatres in the installation of the new lift. I hope it will mean more people than ever before can enjoy the excellent entertainment that the Swan Theatre offers.”
The installation forms part of Worcester Theatres’ ongoing commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for audiences, workshop participants, and community groups of all abilities. Worcester Theatres continues to invest in improving accessibility and audience experience across both the Swan Theatre and Huntingdon Hall, helping to ensure theatre remains open and accessible for all.
Worcester Theatres is a registered charity dedicated to breaking down barriers and making the arts more accessible. Huntingdon Hall and the Swan Theatre host hundreds of events each year spanning theatre, music, dance, comedy and musicals. In addition to hosting visiting productions, Worcester Theatres runs its own in-house producing company, the Worcester Repertory (Rep) Company, which creates productions including the annual pantomime, the outdoor summer theatre show at The Commandery Gardens, and other popular classics.