Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: HQ Theatres becomes new operator of the New Theatre; Cardiff's COVID-19 case and test numbers; and vaccination totals for Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan.

HQ Theatres becomes new operator of the New Theatre

HQ Theatres (HQ) - part of premium international live entertainment business, Trafalgar Entertainment - has officially become the new operator of Cardiff's New Theatre following the successful conclusion of a competitive bidding process run by Cardiff Council.  HQ will sign over the lease for the building on Monday 16 August and is targeting a full reopening on Sunday 19 September.

The 115-year-old, 1,144 capacity Edwardian theatre becomes the 12th venue to be run by HQ Theatres, the UK's largest specialist regional theatre operator. Lease arrangements under which HQ will operate the capital city theatre will run for 25 years and existing New Theatre staff will transfer to HQ's employment.

The company's plans will deliver continued programme development at the New Theatre and a significant investment designed to improve front-of-house areas and to protect, preserve and enhance the fabric of the theatre.  The company also has plans to establish a dedicated Community and Education function to further embed the venue within the communities it serves - and has ambition to work with cultural, arts and entertainment organisations in the city in the development of a city-wide approach to programming.

The New Theatre will also be used as a launchpad for new shows, delivered through HQ's relationships with the UK's leading producers.

The agreement between HQ Theatres and Cardiff Council demonstrates a strong show of investor confidence in the cultural sector as it recovers from the sweeping economic effects of the pandemic which closed most venues for over a year.  HQ won the bid for the New Theatre in 2019, but mobilisation plans have been put on hold during the course of the pandemic.

The New Theatre will reopen its doors on 19 September with a performance by Simon Amstell, followed in spectacular style with a glitzy red-carpet event and a performance of the international hit musical sensation, Priscilla Queen of the Desert from 20 September.

In March 2021, HQ Theatres was acquired by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire's Trafalgar Entertainment group - a leading force behind major theatre investment in the UK and internationally. Following major multi-million-pound investment, TE reopened London's Trafalgar Theatre with Jersey Boys in July and unveiled its first boutique cinema complex in Chiswick London. The company is also set to open Sydney's 1,200 seat Theatre Royal and recently announced plans to open the ground-breaking Olympia Theatre, the biggest new permanent theatre to open in London since the 1970s.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Cardiff Council, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "The New Theatre has thrilled audiences for 115 years creating many wonderful memories for generations of Cardiff theatregoers. So I'm delighted that we've been able to reach an agreement that safeguards jobs and the theatre's future, ensuring many more generations will be entertained for many more years to come.

"HQ Theatres is one of the UK's leading theatre operators and has already played a major part in the New Theatre's success, producing Wales' biggest pantomime there for the past 20 years through Qdos Entertainment. They understand Cardiff audiences and we are confident that knowledge and expertise will see the New Theatre flourish.

"I for one am excited to see the curtain rise on this new era at the New Theatre and, now that lockdown restrictions are being lifted, we eagerly await the re-opening of the New Theatre in September and wish the new operators every success."

Read more here:

https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/27284.html

Cardiff Cases and Tests - 7 Days Data (06 August - 12 August)

Based on latest figures from Public Health Wales

Data correct as of:

16 August 2021, 09:00

Cases: 549

Cases per 100,000 population: 149.6 (Wales: 184.3 cases per 100,000 population)

Testing episodes: 5,066

Testing per 100,000 population: 1,380.7

Positive proportion: 10.8% (Wales: 12.8% positive proportion)

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Vaccination Status Update - 17 August

The total number of vaccination doses given by the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board so far, in both local authority areas:  696,267 (1^stDose: 362,859 2^ndDose: 333,408)

• 80 and over: 20,692 / 94.6% (1^stDose) 20,332 / 93% (2^ndDose)
• 75-79: 15,083 / 96.3% (1^stDose) 14,878 / 95% (2^ndDose)
• 70-74: 21,464 / 95.6% (1^stDose) 21,300 / 94.9% (2^ndDose)
• 65-69: 21,957 / 94.1% (1^stDose) 21,662 / 92.9% (2^ndDose)
• 60-64: 26,016 / 92.2% (1^stDose) 25,615 / 90.8% (2^ndDose)
• 55-59: 29,327 / 90.1% (1^stDose) 28,736 / 88.3% (2^ndDose)
• 50-54: 28,972 / 87.7% (1^stDose) 28,184 / 85.3% (2^ndDose)
• 40-49: 55,023 / 81.2% (1^stDose) 52,576 / 77.6% (2^ndDose)
• 30-39: 59,695 / 74.5% (1^stDose) 54,675 / 68.3% (2^ndDose)
• 18-29: 78,021 / 75.4% (1^stDose) 66,242 / 64% (2^ndDose)

• Care home residents: 1,889 / 98.5% (1^stDose) 1,860 / 97% (2^ndDose)
• Clinically extremely vulnerable: 11,312 / 93.9% (1^stDose) 11,071 / 91.9% (2^ndDose)
• Underlying Health Conditions: 46,102 / 89.7% (1^stDose) 44,214 / 86% (2^ndDose)

Data provided by CAVUHB

Based on the figures available at the time of publication. Please note that there may be minor amendments to data as it is validated over time.