A versatile community and entertainment space in Greater Manchester, Heywood Civic has been completely renovated. The aim of the work was to modernise and future-proof the venue whilst retaining the building’s 1960s character.

As part of the renovations, Audience Systems provided retractable seating units for both levels of the auditorium, ensuring that either or both levels can be used as flexibly as possible. In the configuration shown in these photos, the upper level is closed off with curtains and the upper retractable seating unit is closed.  This unit is slightly raised to optimise sightlines.

A few features speed the opening and closing of these retractable units. The side rails and drapes don’t need to be removed – the rails simply fold down and the drapes concertina away. The platforms also close under power at the touch of a button, with the seats folding down automatically.

There are also Matrix seats in the stalls – a quick, removable system of seating which can be set out in groups and stored economically on trolleys.