Brighter shows, lower bills: Baths Hall gets new lighting – and saves £30,000 a year

One of Scunthorpe’s most loved venues is getting a major behind-the-scenes upgrade – cutting costs, slashing energy use and helping secure the future of live music, theatre and events for local people.

The Baths Hall has begun switching to modern LED lighting across the entire building. Every piece of stage lighting will be replaced, alongside more than 900 internal fittings throughout the venue.

The upgrade is not funded through local council tax but will slash electricity usage by an enormous 75 per cent – with around £30,000 savings made from running costs.

The running costs will be almost £100,000 a year less now, after the successful installation of solar panels in July 2024 reduced electricity costs by £63,828 in its first year.

That means a lower cost base for the theatre – freeing up money to be reinvested into performances, programming and keeping the venue accessible for residents.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This isn’t about shiny new kit for its own sake. It’s about bringing down the running costs so the Baths Hall can keep doing what it does best – putting on great shows.

“The Baths Hall is about people: nights out, live music, theatre and shared experiences. To keep that going, we have to be smart about how the building is run.”

As well as reducing energy use, the new LED stage lighting will improve lighting quality for performers and audiences alike, while being more reliable than the old system.

The works build on other recent improvements at the venue. In 2024, a community solar power system was installed, made up of 360 solar panels capable of generating 158kW of clean electricity, delivered in partnership with North Lincolnshire Community Energy.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “By cutting energy use and lowering running costs, we’re making the Baths Hall more resilient and protecting its future.

“That means we can continue to back the cultural life it brings to Scunthorpe and across North Lincolnshire, while also making sure every penny of taxpayers’ money works as hard as possible – both are things we know matter to residents.”