Wellington Orbit unveils next phase of expansion

The public is invited to experience the new spaces during a "First Look" weekend, running from Saturday 6th to Sunday 7th June. Tours will run every 30 minutes, with live showcases from local partners demonstrating the flexibility of the first-floor facilities. Bookings for these free slots will officially open on Friday 22nd May via the Wellington Orbit website.

The expansion marks the next major chapter in a journey that began with the 2012 “Save the Clifton” campaign. Following years of fundraising and development, the Orbit opened its ground-floor cinema and café at 1 Station Road in 2019, establishing a vibrant, volunteer-supported cultural hub in the heart of Wellington. Since then, it has welcomed thousands of visitors, supported local events, and demonstrated the long-term viability of a community-led arts venue.

The Phase 2 expansion will transform the Orbit into a fully-fledged, multi-purpose arts centre, designed to support a wide range of cultural, creative, and community activity. This next stage has been made possible in part through investment secured by Telford & Wrekin Council in 2023, when £9.8 million of central government funding was awarded to support the wider Wellington economy. A portion of this funding was allocated to the Orbit, enabling the project to secure the freehold of the landmark 1 Station Road site and deliver the comprehensive renovation of the first floor.

Adaptable multi-purpose spaces

With arts and culture as a key pillar, the newly renovated first floor has been designed for maximum flexibility, catering to a wide range of community needs:

The Multi-Purpose Studio: A professional-grade space with specialist flooring, mirrors, and ballet barres, designed for everything from dance and yoga to performances and community classes.

Versatile Meeting Spaces: Modern, adaptable meeting facilities providing a new home for local businesses and community groups.

Exhibition and Social Extension: A first-floor extension to the café and events space featuring views of the town and a flexible gallery for local artists.

As a not-for-profit charitable organisation, Wellington Orbit operates with a "community first" ethos, with every penny generated reinvested into the community. Looking ahead, the Orbit has the long-term ambition of becoming a grantor, helping to fund and develop other local initiatives that align with its core values of social and cultural enrichment.

"This is a truly historic moment for Wellington," says John McGregor, Chairman of Wellington Orbit.

"This project started as a fight to save our town’s cinematic heritage, and while the buildings have changed, the spirit of that 2012 campaign lives on. Delivering Phase 2 provides the town with versatile, high-quality facilities it deserves. As we grow, our goal is to not only host community initiatives but eventually help fund them, ensuring Wellington’s local culture continues to thrive."

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism, Culture & the Arts, said: “We are delighted to see this milestone reached.

"Investing in the Orbit is a key part of our strategy to revitalise Wellington. We’ve project managed this regeneration programme, working closely with the Wellington Orbit team, and are delighted to see it come to fruition.

“The refurbishment has more than doubled the size of Wellington Orbit’s current facilities, creating multi-functional community spaces for exhibitions, performing arts and community outreach services.

“Creating a vibrant, cultural hub in the centre of Wellington will drive more footfall to the town’s high street and complements the public realm works and the transformation of the historic Wellington Market which is well underway.”