THE Met will close its doors this weekend ahead of its £4.6 million transformation.

Refurbishment work will start next week to increase the venue's capacity and attract more national talent to perform in the town.

Bury Metropolitan Arts Association (BMAA), the charity that runs The Met, has spent the past four years securing funds for the redevelopment project, which is due to be completed at the beginning of November.

The capital investment will restore the building’s heritage features and transform the interior to increase capacity and improve facilities for everyone who uses the venue.

It will also enable The Met to attract more high profile artists and theatre productions, thanks to new and improved studio and theatre spaces, a new bar area, workshop spaces, new dressing rooms and a new more accessible lift in the centre of the building.

Victoria Robinson, chief executive at The Met, said: "For more than thirty five years The Met has been at the heart of life in Bury, staging thousands of events which have brought joy to hundreds of thousands of people. From this autumn the venue is going to be even better, with enhanced facilities for artists and audiences alike. But before that can happen, the building will have to close for seven months to be transformed."

Work will commence onsite next week and the project is expected to be completed by November. The Met's programme of live music and events will continue throughout the building’s renovation at various venues across Bury. For more information visit themet.biz.