The firm will steer the restoration of the Congress Theatre facade, which involves installing specialist glazing and replacing window frames at the Grade II (star) listed venue.

Work is due to start in August and will be completed in spring 2015.

Richard Stocking, principal conservation surveyor at Faithful+Gould, said: “This project is all about tackling the urgent repairs needed to the facade of this modernist theatre and retaining the building’s original aesthetics while also improving the internal environment of the foyer so that it is warmer in winter and cooler in summer.”

The local council has also appointed Focus has been appointed project manager for the broader Devonshire Park masterplan to transform it into a thriving cultural destination.

The Focus team will manage the next stage of the design and business planning, which incorporates the upgrading and layout of tennis courts.

They will manage the project through to completion, overseeing the restoration of the listed buildings including the next stage of the Congress Theatre improvements and any new buildings needed to attract conferences and exhibitions, as well as new public realm in front of the Congress.

The detailed designs for the entire redevelopment, costing £35m, will be finalised by March 2015 with work expected to begin in 2017.

Eleanor Clarke, senior consultant at Focus, said: “It’s a key project that is scheduled to create a range of benefits for the town and for the area, and we are very pleased to be part of the team that will bring this scheme to reality.”