The Lighthouse

How Theatres Trust's support is helping futureproof operations at The Lighthouse

Opening in 1978, The Lighthouse in Poole is one of the largest arts venues in the UK outside London.

It was extensively refurbished in 2002 and includes a theatre, concert hall, studio and cinema. It regularly hosts national and international theatre, dance, music, contemporary circus and film, playing a crucial role in regional and national arts delivery.

Theatres Trust has helped this fantastic venue in a variety of ways over recent years, demonstrating the range of support we are able to provide.

In 2018, we responded to a planning application for a residential development overlooking The Lighthouse’s service bay, which could have resulted in noise complaints and operational issues for the venue. While we did not object to the application, we suggested that the homes should be repositioned with greater separation from The Lighthouse. These suggestions were taken into consideration in a revised application.

When theatres faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, Theatres Trust was able to support theatres to adapt. The senior management team at The Lighthouse took the opportunity to interrogate their business plans and strategy. With the support of Theatres Trust’s Specialist Adviser, the management team of the Lighthouse explored scenarios and prepared themselves for a resilient future with the flexibility to face future development and artistic challenges. Our Theatres Reopening Fund awarded the Lighthouse a grant to fund the purchase of free-standing temperature sensors, to prepare for reopening under pandemic restrictions.

The Lighthouse has secured funding from a number of other grant schemes we’ve run. Having previously installed automatic front of house doors with Theatres Trust support, The Lighthouse then focused on removing barriers to access backstage for performers and staff. With a grant in 2023, it installed automatic push-button doors at stage and pit level to ensure wheelchair users can access the stage and orchestra pit without assistance.

Most recently, we funded a project to replace the main theatre’s profile lights with LEDs as part of the phased scheme to reduce environmental impact and transition to Net Zero.

This case study was produced as part of our Fifty@50 campaign to mark our 50th anniversary in 2026.

Photo credit: Richard Budd