NEW fixtures and fittings are being completed to equip Worcester's Perdiswell Leisure Centre for its exciting extra role as a mini version of the Birmingham NEC as reported back in April 1990.

The aim is to open up the extensive sports facility to an even wider audience by using it two or three times a month as a venue for concerts, shows and exhibitions.

Worcester City Council is spending £60,000 to fit out the main sports hall with three-quarter length acoustic drapes, a battery of hi-tech stage lighting, more power for amplifiers and exhibition displays and new seating to take audiences of 1,500 compared with the present capacity of 1,200.

These measures are designed to fill a void in Worcester's amenities - the lack of an auditorium capable of staging not just big concerts but also "one-night stands" by rock n roll bands and major stars of stage and television.

Worcester Cathedral has traditionally formed the city's primary concert venue but would obviously not be an appropriate platform for showbiz entertainments.

Perdiswell can also offer audiences some fringe benefits, including a large bar, cafeteria and full heating.

However, city leisure services chiefs are at pains to stress that the additional entertainments role for the Perdiswell centre will not be at the expense of its popular sports facilities.

Concerts and gigs will mostly be on weekend evenings when the centre is little used or closed.

Centre manager Terry Hughes said: "We will now provide not just active but also passive leisure to bring in more customers.

"The object is to make total use of the centre and offer entertainment right across the spectrum."

Last year's change of name from sports centre to leisure centre was specifically designed to reflect its widening role.

The city council brought forward conversion work at Perdiswell by one year because the cathedral will be out of commission for major concerts after the Three Choirs Festival in August.

Much of the interior of the ancient building will be cordoned off to the public for up to three years during the £1.8 million operation to strengthen the unstable tower.