Theatre Royal, Grade II* is the third oldest surviving purpose-built theatre in England. The decorative architectural terracotta colonnade had been painted for over 30 years which may have been originally carried out to hide inappropriate mortar repairs and other damage. Significant fracturing and partial loss of masonry was also evident indicating corrosion of the supporting metal frame.

Paye were initially employed by the client to undertake a condition survey of the colonnade and exemplar site trials to remove paint and cut inspection pockets to expose the terracotta and metal frame for closer assessment. The trials revealed twenty-three layers of paint had been applied over the years and confirmed the frame was in a deteriorating condition.

Based on these findings and reports which demonstrated the condition of the terracotta and metal frame where beyond repair and at risk. Planning consent was sort and approved to remove and replace the colonnade in its entirety.

Paye conducted a detailed dimensional survey and recorded each of the unit types used to construct the colonnade followed by carful deconstruction and salvage of representative units used to model and produce moulds to manufacture new replacement terracotta.

Once the metal support frame had been replaced, Paye supplied and fixed the terracotta recreating the original historic colonnade.