THE Palace Theatre is leading the way for sustainability after receiving an A rating for its energy efficiency.

The Alcester Street Theatre is one of the first Grade II listed buildings to receive a certificate for an official A rating in energy efficiency in June 2014.

Energy improvement projects such as changing lighting in the lift, auditorium, foyer, bar and stage for LED lamps, the installation of solar panels on the roof and improved heating systems through insulation and more efficient boilers are just some of the ways the theatre has achieved such a high rating.

Such projects have seen greater energy efficiency in the building and are also helping Redditch Borough Council save money.

LED lights use about five per cent of the electricity of normal lights and last for many years.

This means a huge saving on electricity bills as well as freeing up staff time that would previously have been spent changing the old light bulbs.

Tim Mackrill, theatre manager, said: “I started looking at ways we could improve the sustainability of the theatre way back in 2008 and am really proud of the work done by everyone to get to the point we’re at now.

"Being more efficient really makes sense because not only do we have less impact on the environment, we’re also saving money.”

Tim Atkinson, from Entertaining Sustainability, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the highest results in the country for a theatre building, especially one of its age.”

The Palace Theatre is also a finalist in the Technical Theatre Awards in the category GDS Award for Venue Sustainability, along with the Savoy theatre in London and the Regent Theatre in Stoke on Trent.

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in London in October.