The Lyric theatre in London's Hammersmith launches its new look and identity next month, as part of a £2.6m redevelopment programme.

This is the first stage in the overhaul of the Victorian theatre, which has suffered from a lack of investment over the last 10 years. The National Lottery will donate more than £1m over the next four years, which will be used to rebrand the theatre which includes changing is name from the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith to the Lyric Hammersmith.

Rick Mather Architects are creating a glass entrance to the theatre with a new street level café and box office. There are also plans to build a new education room for the theatre's work with children and young people, as well as a new creative and rehearsal space.

£1.2m has been received from the Arts Council through the National Lottery towards the cost of the project and the remaining £1.4m is expected to be raised by the public and private sector. If full funding is found, work will start on the project in January 2003 with completion scheduled for October of that year.