Unity Theatre wins seating upgrade through Seating’s Second Act
We are thrilled to announce that the Liverpool theatre is the winner of the partnership initiative with Race Furniture.
Unity Theatre is one of Liverpool’s longest-standing arts venues and is a creative home for underrepresented voices, working with d/Deaf and disabled artists, LGBTQIA+ creatives, young people, and people from lower income backgrounds. Installed in 1980, its auditorium seating is tired, uncomfortable, and no longer meets the needs of modern, diverse audiences – in particular the fixed configuration restricts accessibility for wheelchair users and limits programming flexibility.
The seating revamp, courtesy of Race Furniture, will enhance audience experience, improve accessibility, and enable more flexible use of the auditorium for performances, community events, and hires. Race Furniture will work closely with Unity Theatre to ensure the design reflects the venue’s inclusive ethos and aesthetic character, creating a welcoming space that meets the evolving needs of its artists and audiences. While details of the redesign are still being finalised, the focus will be on comfort, accessibility, and flexibility - key priorities for both Unity Theatre and Race Furniture.
Seating's Second Act with Race Furniture was established as a gesture of gratitude to the theatre industry, which has played a vital role in Race Furniture’s success over the decades, Theatres Trust was chosen as the initiative’s natural partner given our role as the only organisation that supports the whole of the UK’s theatre ecosystem.
Unity’s application impressed Theatres Trust and Race Furniture by making a clear case for what a difference the seating refurbishment would make to the theatre and the communities it serves. The refurbishment will coincide with a major year-long heritage project, culminating in Unity presenting its first in-house production in more than a decade in spring 2026.
If your company is interested in supporting the theatre sector through a similar partnership, please do get in touch with us to discuss how we can work together.