The Theatres Trust

Park Theatre venue opens its doors in Finsbury Park

8th May 2013

London’s newest theatre, backed by Sir Ian McKellen, opens later with a performance of Melanie Marnich’s These Shining Lives. The Park Theatre, in Finsbury Park, received fundraising support from actors Sir Ian and Celia Imrie. The two-auditorium venue incorporates a 200-seat theatre – Park200 – and a flexible 90-seat space – Park90.

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Expansion plans for cultural centre in Barton

8th May 2013

Plans to expand The Ropewalk in Barton could lead to increased capacity for events. Officials at the Maltkiln Road venue have announced early-stage plans for development at the centre. The proposals would see an extension built at the north end of the site. It will mean an increase in seating capacity from 126 to 200 at the Ropery Hall entertainment venue, as well as a new foyer.

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Breakthrough hopes on Doncaster Grand Theatre

8th May 2013

Hopes that Doncaster’s historic Grand Theatre can re-open have taken a major step forward after talks over a possible deal. Discussions between the owners of the Victorian landmark and campaigners who want to turn it back into an entertainment venue have been held for the first time.

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Trust submits response to DCLG permitted development rights for change of use

8th May 2013

On 6 September 2012 the Government announced that new permitted development rights would be introduced to better enable change of use from commercial to residential purposes, as part of a package of measures to support economic growth. It builds on the policy set out in paragraph 51 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Alongside the new permitted development rights it was announced that local authorities would be given an opportunity to seek an exemption for specific parts of their locality. However, exemptions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, where local authorities demonstrate clearly that the introduction of these new permitted development rights in a particular area will lead to the loss of a nationally significant area of economic activity or substantial adverse economic consequences at the local authority level which are not offset by the positive benefits the new rights would bring.

Read the Trust’s submission to the DCLG

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Theatr Stiwt loses thousands of pounds in funding

8th May 2013

The Arts Council of Wales has withdrawn £32,000 of funding from Theatr Stiwt in Rhos leaving a jam-packed programme under threat. Now theatre bosses are making an urgent plea to the public – use it or lose it. Paul Hanmer, chairman of the Stiwt Arts Trust, told a meeting of Rhos Community Council: “We are disappointed that we haven’t had it [funding], and it’s causing us to re-think our entire programme.

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Blog: How theatres can make everyone fight for the arts

8th May 2013

Local theatres must engage with their communities through education and participatory initiatives, thereby creating an army of advocates governments can’t ignore. Is the conversation around arts funding becoming more grown up? There are signs that it is, and it couldn’t come at a better time – just a couple of weeks after Maria Miller laid out her stall at the British Museum with a speech that clearly saw the value of the arts being in the contribution they make to boosting the economy blogs Lyn Gardner for The Guardian

New Brighton theatre opens in old church

7th May 2013

A new theatre has opened in a vacant church in the latest regeneration scheme in a run-down shopping area. The Victorian Methodist church in London Road, Brighton, has been vacant for seven years. But thanks to a group of enthusiasts, the church hall will be brought back to life as a 250-seater theatre and 110-seater studio.

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Appeal launched to save Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire

7th May 2013

The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond has launched a fundraising appeal to save it from closure. The grade-I listed building, which was built in 1788, needs more than £100,000 to secure its future.

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West End Commission Report cites need for urgent probe into underinvestment in West End theatres

7th May 2013

Chronic underinvestment in historic West End theatres should be investigated by the government as a “matter of urgency”, according to a report looking into the problems affecting the entertainment district. The independent inquiry, led by West End representatives including theatre leaders such as Society of London Theatre chief executive Julian Bird and performing arts promoter Harvey Goldsmith, has found that the lack of financial support for national assets is putting the area’s “pre-eminent” cultural heritage “under threat”.

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‘Arts worth £5.9bn to UK economy’ says independent report

7th May 2013

Arts Council England has published the findings of an independent report claiming that the arts and culture sector accounts for 0.4% of gross domestic product, with £5.9 billion worth of gross value added to the UK economy in 2011.

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