Project Overview
The project comprised the renovation and conversion of the Grade II listed chapel into a 300-seat galleried theatre, along with the restoration of a listed Minister’s House to provide front-of-house facilities, offices, and a congregation hall.
The £4.3m redevelopment saw the chapel sympathetically converted into a 286 seat galleried courtyard theatre and a 60 seat studio with backstage facilities for performers.
Additionally, a single-storey rear extension containing a foyer and spacious bar area was constructed, wrapping around the apsidal wall to the original chancel. A curved wall of glass provides views of, and access to, the secluded landscaped gardens of the old churchyard.
The theatre itself is a flat-floored flexible studio space that was created by inserting a new steel structure within the volume of the existing church.
A balcony was retained but extended forward and re-tiered to provide good sightlines to the stage area. Two levels of new galleries were inserted at the sides, together with high level suspensions for scenery and stage lighting.
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Graham Staughton
Special Projects Manager
Graham is one of SDC’s longest-serving employees, having joined the company in 1981. With over 40 years of experience, his career has evolved significantly, and he now leads the day-to-day operations of the Special Projects division. Since his appointment as Department Manager, his leadership and experience have been key drivers in the continued success and growth of the Special Projects Division
Grant Thompson
Quantity Surveyor
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
