LIGHTHOUSE at Poole has been awarded £3.88million from Arts Council England towards a £5.3m major refurbishment.

The UK's largest regional arts centre received a previous award of £118,000 which supported the development stage of its bid.

This award will allow Lighthouse to reduce energy input and improve environmental efficiency, improve access and ensure a more welcoming experience for artist and audiences and improve performance, rehearsal and conference spaces.

As part of the work to be carried out the studio theatre will be radically changed and the back of house area will have an artist's Green Room, the function room will be updated to offer a conference space for hire and the building's infrastructure will be upgraded including moving the entrance.

“This significant award from Arts Council England, adding to the support we have had from Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is great news for Poole and Dorset,” said chief executive officer Elspeth McBain.

“It will enable Lighthouse, as custodians of this wonderful building, to update and improve many aspects for the benefit of all users.”

She said the project would enable them to provide a world class facility for the BSO as well as other established and emerging artists.

“Our distinctive building is out greatest asset and we must look after it well to ensure we have a facility that supports the cultural life of our community and is here for audiences and artists in the future.”

Phil Gibby, area director, south west, Arts Council England said: “This will be a transformative project for a venue which plays an increasingly important role in the region and which will be more accessible, more resilient and more sustainable as a result.

“Lighthouse is a flagship cultural destination and we look forward to seeing the venue flourish with the help of our investment.”

BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe said: “Home to the BSO since it opened in 1978, Lighthouse is where we plan, create, rehearse and perform our work, work which is then 'exported' right across the region, county and in the case of our broadcasts and recording, the world.”

Almost 90 per cent of the required funding has been raised and the first phase of work is expected to start in the summer of 2015.