Stockton Globe: First look inside restored theatre

The iconic Grade II-listed Art Deco Globe, which has stood empty since 1997, was unveiled following its restoration by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Situated in the heart of Stockton High Street, the Globe’s 3,000 capacity makes it the biggest live entertainment venue between Newcastle and Leeds.

It has been handed over to the world-renowned Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), which runs major venues worldwide from London West End to Broadway.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: “It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for – the Globe is back and it’s looking absolutely stunning!

“It’s played host to the biggest names in showbusiness and when you’re in there you can almost feel the history. It most definitely holds a special place in people’s hearts and memories.

“But today is about looking forward to exciting times ahead and creating a whole load of new memories for generations to come. And it won’t be long before we’re welcoming the stars back to Stockton.

“ATG have put together a superb line-up of acts with incredibly broad appeal. Paloma Faith was the first act they announced, and she sold out within eight hours, which tells you a lot about the level of public appetite that’s out there.

“Since then we’ve seen an array of further acts and shows announced. Among them are Tim Minchin, Diversity, Jools Holland, UB40, We Will Rock You and of course Status Quo, who some will remember as the last band to rock the Globe in 1974!

“Make no mistake, this is an absolute game-changer for the area and it puts Stockton back on the map as a live entertainment destination.”    

The Globe will welcome its first show in September, while ‘The Link’, which adjoins the Globe, will open in July as a 200-capacity venue in its own right.

'The Link'

Also announced today was a Council-sponsored monthly prize draw – the Globe Free Tickets Draw is exclusively for residents of the Borough and will see 500 tickets put up for grabs over the next year.

The restoration of the Globe, which was built in 1935, was funded by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and a £4.5million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Enterprise scheme, as well as a £774,000 grant from the Capital Kickstart Fund, part of the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Stockton Globe General Manager, Jo Ager, said: “We are so excited to announce that the day we have all been waiting for is finally upon us; the restoration of Stockton Globe is complete and it is absolutely incredible! We simply cannot wait to throw the doors open, welcome people in and show this phenomenal venue off.

CEO of ATG Nick Potter and ATG General Manager Jo Ager

“Tour promoters have taken the cautious approach to delay programming until later in the year to ensure a safe environment for all who attend. The first acts will take to the Globe stage in September 2021."