Beacon Theater to Restore as Cultural Hub

Plans are underway to revitalize the historic Beacon Theater in Port Washington with a $15 million restoration project aimed at transforming it into a cultural entertainment hub, featuring a dinner theater and community events. The project, led by owner Brad Thurman and a dedicated team, seeks to preserve the theater's historical significance while attracting visitors to Main Street. Meanwhile, McIntyre’s building in Bishop Auckland, which has served the community for nearly 150 years, will undergo a £1.3 million transformation into a digital training and enterprise hub, creating job opportunities and support for local students. In Albury, a new maker space is opening at the historic Pumphouse, offering community members access to tools and workshops for creative projects. Additionally, the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast has relocated to a historic building that now hosts Northern Ireland’s first visual arts library, enhancing its capacity to engage with the public and showcase contemporary art. These developments reflect a growing trend of repurposing historic venues to serve modern community needs.