Image: The Odeon building will house the theatre

Bennetts Associates, the firm behind the revitalisation of the Royal Shakespeare Company's home in Stratford-upon-Avon, is to work on the design of a new £38m theatre in Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWCC) has appointed the practice to lead an "all-star cast" working on the scheme, which could also incorporate a new central library on the site.

The architects will be supported by Charcoalblue, Buro Happold and project manager Buro Four, with all four having worked on the Grade II*-listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The new theatre is to be housed within the city's former Odeon cinema, an art deco property which was selected by the local authority for the project ahead of a site at Little Roodee.

CWCC is currently preparing a bid for £5m of funding support from Arts Council England, which will be submitted when the next application process opens within two months.

Council leader Mike Jones said: "I believe we have secured an unrivalled blend of expertise and flair that will produce a theatre vital to our aspirations as an international visitor centre."

Bennetts Associates director Simon Erridge added: "This is one of the most important theatre projects in the UK at the moment and we can't wait to get started."

Details: www.talkingwestcheshire.org (CWCC)

Details: www.bennettsassociates.com (Bennetts Associates)