Belgrade Theatre in Coventry has been awarded a £995,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to establish new exhibition and education areas at the Grade II-listed building.

The new exhibition space will be run in conjunction with Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and will feature a timeline covering the history of performing arts in the city from medieval times to present day.

The education space will be used as a venue for the theatre’s educational workshop programmes.

The funding will also be used to complete planned restoration work, including the renovation of the Belgrade Square and Corporation Steet facades and the refurbishment of the screened entrance to the first floor restaurant.

Artistic director, Hamish Glen, said: “The successful application to HLF will provide the theatre and the city with an exciting and innovative new cultural facility including a new heritage gallery and learning space.

“This will allow the theatre to engage more widely with communities throughout the city and particular its young people.”

Work on the new exhibition space will take place over the summer and the new facilities will open to the public in September.