Sparkling streets light the way for £6m Theatreland makeover

Theatreland is to be transformed with a £6 million makeover including multicoloured street lights and sparkling pavements.

Traditional Grey Wornum lanterns in Shaftesbury Avenue will have strips of coloured LEDs running down their columns and will be brighter and more intense at the beginning and end of shows. Theatres will renovate their entrances and use more "showtime" lighting outside to create a greater sense of occasion before and after performances.

The plans are in Westminster council's Theatreland Strategy, to be unveiled this week. Pavements will be decluttered, footpaths widened and the area outside theatres will be repaved in sparkly black and white granite. Impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh said: "These improvements will be of real benefit to theatregoers and surrounding businesses, and recognise London as the theatre capital of the world."

AndrÈ Ptaszynski, chief executive of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, added: "This strategy addresses the overall atmosphere of this exciting area, defining the character and boundaries of Theatreland and creating a greater sense of occasion for our visitors."

In April work began on lighting and street improvements in Shaftesbury Avenue. Transport for London is improving reliability and cutting bus journey times by creating a corridor linking high-profile parts of the city.

Alan Bradley, Westminster's lead member for Theatreland, said: "The West End boasts the highest concentration of theatres in the world and they make a huge contribution to the economy. These plans help put the sparkle back into the area.

"Lighting is one of the most important ways we can create a sense of magic and occasion in this area and I think lights that change colour and intensity will succeed in bringing the charm and energy of the stage out on to the streets of Theatreland."

Richard Pulford, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: "West End theatre is a magical asset. The new initiative will ensure the backdrop reflects that."