The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry will not open on schedule.

The £6.5m phase of the £11m capital development project – which will create a seven-storey extension to accommodate a new 250–300-seat auditorium – has hit setbacks. The work is being carried out by ISG InteriorExterior.

Hamish Glen, CEO and artistic director, said: “Due to substantial setbacks in our capital development project, which have just come to light and are completely beyond our control, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to cancel this year’s pantomime and postpone the re-opening of the theatre.

“We are deeply upset and frustrated at having to make this decision and are currently in discussion with all the companies responsible for delivering the scheme to try and assess exactly why the project has run off schedule.

“To avoid any more confusion we will not announce a new re-opening date until we have a cast iron guarantee from the companies involved that there will be no further delays.” Details: www.belgrade.co.uk