Plans for a major redevelopment of Watford Colosseum in Hertfordshire have been given the green light by Watford Borough Council's (WBC) development control committee.

Existing single-storey extensions to the venue, which comprise the box office, a bar, a cellar, a bottle store and a storage room, will be demolished as part of the scheme, along with dressing rooms at the rear of the main auditorium. A new extension would be built to provide a ground floor entrance and foyer, incorporating a café/bar, a new box office and access to the first floor foyer. A smaller first floor extension would form a new foyer and bar area.

Internal refurbishment work will also be carried out as part of the plans, which includes new seating on the auditorium's balcony, new dressing rooms and backstage areas, toilets and a revamped decorative colour scheme. WBC approved the scheme on the condition that additional details of planned external work are submitted to the development control committee, while the application for listed building consent has been referred to the communities secretary for consideration.

WBC elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: "Residents are very clear about wanting to see the Colosseum restored to its former glory. They want a venue that will put Watford on the map, and a first class all-purpose entertainment centre for everyone. "The unique character of the building and its world-renowned acoustics will be preserved, but with much needed improvements to customer facilities, seating and lighting."