SAM LEE APPEAL

Phase Two of the Glorious Grand Restoration

Through the Sam Lee Appeal, we aimed to provide new and wider seats, giving greater legroom and much improved comfort.

We have developed our facilities for the disabled, installing new and accessible toilet facilities and improving the existing amenities.

The warm welcome continues: the Grand Theatre transformed. From a lush 'red' theatre to a plush 'maritime blue' auditorium (with greater legroom)!

This phase of the restoration was named after the late Mr. Sam Lee, who was Chairman of The Grand Theatre Trust from 1993 until his untimely death in November 2003. Mr. Lee supported many charities and causes throughout the North West, but the one closest to his heart was the survival of The Grand Theatre.

The seating project began in 2002 with overtures from Acanthus Design who solely represent JEZET-Seating of Overpelt, Belgium. An ergonomic seat was constructed in a very modern luxurious style. It was thought by theatre historians “too modern” for the Grand’s character and splendid interior decor. After further consultation with JEZET-Seating, Dr. David Wilmore, Mr. Paul Iles and The Theatre Trust, the ‘Acanthus Seat’ was produced with nineteenth-century styling incorporating twenty-first century comfort. This process took almost four years to complete.

The carpet, to compliment the Grand’s restored interior and highlight the seating was created by Harper & Pye of Cleveleys, who supplied our previous carpet in 1992. The design incorporates acanthus leaf scrolls of 1894, and colours Utrecht blue, and rose de burrie, as in the balcony fronts. Over 1700 square-metres of carpet have been laid with precision to allow the pattern repeat to follow throughout the theatre.

The entire stalls and dress circle seating area have been over-boarded, to enable the correct seat fixings to be installed. Building contractors F. Parkinson undertook this work with only a small window of opportunity to complete.

Additional works took place at the same time to include the installation of new electricity cables, sound cables and communication wiring within the auditorium. This was undertaken by our own staff and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, particularly Max Allatt the theatre’s Technical Manager, and the support of Gordon McKeith of McKeith Dickinson & Partners.

All staff have supported the project in many ways from physical labour, technical input and most of all, by a determination to see the Grand succeed in the future. It would have been impossible without the fundraising drive of Elaine Fossett.

View the project in our gallery

Acting Chief Executive and General Manager
Project Manager
Mr. Neil Thomson

“Along with many others, Sam had a desire to save the theatre and restore it to its former glory. Their shared vision comes ever-closer now the auditorium has been re-carpeted and reseated.

I am sure Sam would have been thrilled with how magnificent the theatre now looks and been very honoured in having the appeal named after him.”
Wife and Board Member of the Grand Theatre Trust Ltd.
Mrs. Katie Lee

“When Sam and I, waiting outside the theatre to welcome Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip on the eve of the Grand's centenary, saw them alight from their car, Sam whispered “haven't we come a long way!”. He was of course referring to the early years of struggle to save the Grand in which he played a major role. He would be absolutely enchanted to see the theatre today.”
Chairman of the Grand Theatre
Mr. David Coupe

“It was my privilege to be a friend and colleague to Sam for over 35 years, and therefore I believe it only fitting that this appeal, in his honour, characterises Sam’s commitment and dedication to this theatre. Donations have transformed the interior to its former glory.”
Acting Chief Executive and General Manager of the Grand Theatre
Mr. Neil Thomson

PROJECT FACTS

Since the beginning of the restoration in 1990, £1.8million has been raised to restore the Grand Theatre to its former glory.
The Sam Lee Appeal - Phase II project alone has cost over £560,000.
Half-a-million pounds has been raised by donations from the public, companies, trusts, foundations and charity events. £200,000 has been donated by the Friends of the Grand organisation.
The refurbishment was accomplished in only five weeks.
Over 800 square metres of Utrecht Blue material was used for the seating and upholstery.
The carpet is made from 80% wool and 20% nylon for the very best durability. One of the highest quality carpets available.
A total 4000 metres of wiring has been used to update the theatre’s various installations. This would stretch from the Grand Theatre to Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.
Over 320 square metres of marine ply was used to over-board the stalls and dress circle seating areas.
The carpet was commissioned by the Grand Theatre with support of the Theatres’ Trust on an original design from 1894. The cost, a mere £135,000!
The wood used on the seating is the very finest beech.
The seats were made in Overpelt, Belgium by JEZET-Seating. They were shipped over to the UK in cases weighing a total of 38 tonnes. The equivalent of nearly 11 African elephants.
In total 22 screws hold each seat together and to the floor, and weigh an incredible 10 kilos. An unbelievable 31,000 screws were used on this project to resurface the floor and position the seating.
The seats were commissioned by the Grand Theatre and have been named the ‘Acanthus Seat’ as one of JEZET-Seating’s Heritage Range. The stalls and dress circle seats also have a silent tip to reduce disruption to performances.
The base of the seats have a comforting 10cm cushion nearly double the previous seats and will last an incredible 20 years rather than 10 years at average occupancy.
Over 1700 square metres of carpet was needed to cover the auditorium floor which is equivalent to the size of 155 car parking spaces, the same size as West Street Car Park.

From quiet homes and first beginning,
Out to the undiscovered ends,
There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,
But laughter and the love of friends

Dedicatory Ode by Hilaire Belloc
KATIE LEE

There are many people we would like to thank
in helping with this project...
Katie Lee - Friends of the Grand - Garfield Weston Foundation - The Linbury Trust - Queensdeans Association - John Armstrong - The John Slater Foundation - Joseph Fielding Properties (Blackpool) Ltd - Sammy's Angels - The Steel Charitable Trust - Cllrs. Ramesh Gandhi OBE DL and May Gandhi - John and Danielle Barnett - John and Dorothy Camps - Blackpool & Fylde Ladies Luncheon & Supper Club - Cyril Charlton (1923-1997) - Jim and Sally Dale - Linda Endicott - Barry and Celia Fothergill - Zahra Gibrail - Keith Gledhill MBE DL KStJ and Margaret Gledhill - David and Toni Harrison - Kath Hayward MBE - Brian Trangmar - Sir Richard and Lady Toni Henriques - Ray and Dorothy Hills - Eric and Ann Hind - Joyce Hulme (1919-2006) - Ismail Gibrail Grandchildren’s Trust - Martin and Jennifer Jay - Inner Wheel District 19 - Dr. Tony Lee and Sheila Lee - The Lofthouse Foundation - Ashley Hall Charity Events - Pat Mancini - Barry and Penelope M Marshall-Kalina - Sue Arthur - James and Jill Bertlin - E Dickens - The Rotary Club of Blackpool South - Barclays Community Programme - E M Sutter - Paul and Jane Olive - Cllr. David Owen - Arthur Pedlar - Francis V Price - Leonard Rawcliffe - Millfield Science & Performing Arts College - Josephine Ritson - Ken and Virginia Roberts - Kath Sanderson (1915-2006) - Alan and Margaret Sears - Skelton Bounty - Emirates Airlines - Elizabeth Sutter - George Thomson (1929-2002) - Barbara Thomson - Geoffrey Tolson and Linda Tolson MBE - Joe Longthorne Friendship Club - Peter and Anne Woodworth - John Budd & Co Solicitors - Blackpool & Fylde Ladies Luncheon & Supper Club - Club SanUK - David Marshall - Keith and Christine Watkins - Lily Henderson - Joseph Temple (1911-2001) - Gerald Temple (1946-2002) - Soroptimist International of the Fylde - Grand Ghost Tours

(We unfortunatly can not list each donation - we apologise if you have been ommitted but your pledge and support we appreciate. We could not have accomplished so much without you.)

PATRONS OF THE SAM LEE APPEAL
Keith Gledhill MBE DL KStJ - Sir Michael Bishop CBE - Sir Richard Henriques and Lady Henriques - Baroness Margo Carmichael - Moira Anderson OBE - Norry Ascroft - John Ayldon - Roy Barraclough MBE - Norman Barrett - Bobby Bennett - John Buck Chairman of the Friends of the Grand - Charlie Cairoli - Johnnie Casson - Lorraine Chase - Richard DeVere - Ken Dodd OBE - The Endresz Family - Vince Hill - Tony Jo - Aled Jones - Danny La Rue OBE - Katie Lee MA - Ruth Madoc - Guy Matthews - Mick Miller - Mo Moreland - Billy Pearce - Len Rawcliffe - Barrie Rutter DLitt DLitt - Andy Smith MA - Roy Walker

JEZET-Seating of Belgium, a company specialising in the
development, production and sales of telescopic stands, theatre, cinema, congress and auditorium seating.
Quality, design and ergonomics are the main pillars on which all products are worked out. By assuming the point of view of the user, we not only offer seat and sight comfort, but also handling comfort.

JEZET-Seating - Belgium
Seating Manufacture and Fitting
Telephone 00 32 11 64 54 42 www.jezet-seating.com

HARPER & PYE pride themselves on delivering top-quality work and finishing every job to the most exacting standards. Their reputation for being the best in their field enables them to work on a number of prestigious projects including the restoration at the Grand Theatre, the executive boxes at Preston North End football club, and even the catamaran used in the James Bond film The Living Daylights.

Harper & Pye - Cleveleys
Carpeting and Fitting
Telephone 01253 828282 www.harperandpye.com

F Parkinson Ltd Building Contractors has gained a reputation for high quality work and reliability throughout the North of England, operating from its offices in Blackpool, Manchester and York.

F. Parkinson Ltd Building Contractors - Blackpool
Joinery and Building Work
Telephone 01253 394411 www.fparkinson.co.uk