The proposed revamping of the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton is on hold while more work is done on the redevelopment of the Firepool site.

The Taunton Theatre Association (TTA) – which operates the council-owned venue – wished to undertake a £20M revamp of the theatre from 2021 once work on the neighbouring Coal Orchard site had been completed.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has now indicated the revamp could be pushed back to allow more time for the design of the nearby Firepool site to be finalised – which could include a multi-purpose cultural venue.

An update on the Firepool site will come before the council just ahead of Christmas to allow this additional design work to take place.

Deputy leader Benet Allen confirmed the delay at a full council meeting in Taunton on Tuesday evening (July 30).

He said in his written report: “At a meeting with the Brewhouse Theatre, the council leader [Federica Smith-Roberts] explained that we could not promise the multi-million rebuilding programme they would like.

“However, both the future of the theatre and the wider redevelopment of Taunton’s riverside are uppermost in our minds; development plans for Coal Orchard have been unveiled, and those for Firepool will undoubtedly include space for cultural activity.“

A council spokesman subsequently confirmed that “new design work was required” on the Firepool site, meaning an update report could not be produced by the original deadline of October.

The council is in the process of acquiring a number of buildings on Canal Road, while Somerset County Council’s work on the new access road to Firepool (leading off Trenchard Way) will be completed by March 2020.

Councillor Marcus Kravis said the Brewhouse revamp was included within the council’s £20M bid to the government’s High Streets Fund – the final stage of which will be submitted in November.

The funding could also be used for elements of the Coal Orchard redevelopment, improved pedestrian and cycling access between the railway station and town centre, and improving public spaces in the town.

Mr Kravis said in his report: “There is no guarantee that we will receive any funding as this is still a competitive process.

“However, we were one of 50 towns selected to progress to the detailed business planning stage out of 300 applications, and one of only two in the Heart of the South West LEP area to be successful at this stage, alongside Yeovil.”

Councillor John Hunt said: “I’m concerned at the lack space being made available for the proposed multi-purpose entertainment venue.

“I realise that the plan is very much a movable feast; however, I do get the impression, from those that I’ve spoken to, that this project is not considered a serious priority, and is already being touted as not financially sound even before the report into its viability has been completed.

“We must not fall into the trap of looking at the business case for this venue purely on what it can produce as a stand-alone project, and that is the impression I’m getting.

“Clearly, the local economy – including cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, guest houses and retailers – will all benefit from visitors using the proposed venue. You build this and they will come.”