CONTRACTOR ISG Jackson has been officially appointed to build the new Marlowe Theatre.

The Suffolk-based company has been confirmed by Canterbury City Council to construct the new 1,200 seat auditorium and second performance space.

Work on the £26.6 million project is expected to open its doors in mid-2011.

City council head of culture Janice McGuiness is delighted to confirm their appointment.

She said: “We are very pleased to be working with a contractor of such prestige and ability and look forward to a successful partnership with them over the next couple of years.”

ISG Jackson’s team working on the Marlowe will be based in Tonbridge and a Kent-based sub-contractor will carry out the work. A number of jobs will be created, which will be advertised at job centres in the coming weeks.

ISG Jackson project manager Colin Overall admits the appointment is a great honour.

He said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been appointed to such a prestigious project.

“We have a regional office in the county and when we heard about the project, we were very keen to be involved in shaping the future fabric of Canterbury.”

ISG Jackson will be moving onto the site from Tuesday May 5, with demolition expected to begin the week after.