EASTGATE theatre has reopened its doors to the public this week after two months of renovations.

A little over 60 days since the Eastgate closed, a brighter, better and slightly bigger theatre building reopened to the public this week.

With audiences and café customers set to reap the benefit of all the changes made over the summer.

For the last two months, theatre staff have operated from a pop-up space at the former Tourist Information Centre on Peebles High Street, but this week they return to a changed workplace.

Although, the official opening of the auditorium will take place on September 8, with the legendary Fitzwilliam String Quartet playing the opening concert of the new season from Music in Peebles.

Visitors will instantly notice changes that have been made in the downstairs café area.

The café features a new snug area with comfy chairs that will appeal to older people, along with additional table space.

Thanks to a new glass wall running almost the whole length of the café the whole area is enhanced by additional sunlight.

Meanwhile, a new front entrance with automatic doors makes it easier to get in and out of the building, particularly for those pushing a buggy or a wheelchair.

The café itself will soon feature a refreshed menu, with a greater emphasis on healthy, homemade food and exciting specials.

Caroline Adam, the Eastgate’s General Manager commented: “It’s been a long road getting to this point, but we are delighted to welcome the public back into a building that has been well and truly reinvigorated.”

Very much a phased reopening, work continues upstairs on refurbishment of the auditorium.

Including better sightlines from both stalls and balconies, a new bank of comfortable raked seating offering more leg room, hand grabs all the way up the aisle along with additional step level lighting which will make the steps easier to navigate.

The auditorium will be officially opened on Sunday, September 8.

The renovation of the Eastgate Theatre has been made possible thanks to grant funding from SBC LEADER Programme, FCC Environment, Foyle Foundation, BCCF Environmental, Land Trust, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, Doris Field Charitable Trust, Peebles Common Good Fund and contributions from a host of fundraisers and individual donors.