PRESS RELEASE – £50,000 Grant for Crown Wharf Theatre
£50,000 Grant for Crown Wharf Theatre
The mission to bring a new theatre and community event space to Stone has received a major boost with £50,000 of grant funding from the Town Hall Charity Trust, which is managed by Stone Town Council.
The Crown Wharf Theatre charity will use the funding to adapt and fit out the back of house areas, transforming the empty building into a fully functioning space that will support the venue’s activities for years to come.
Half of the grant will be used to make vital alterations to the internal layout, ensuring the dressings rooms will be large enough to cater for bigger productions. This is particularly important for groups with big casts, such as schools, Scouts, Guides, dance academies and musical theatre productions.
The second half of the money will be used for the internal fit out, helping the Crown Wharf Theatre charity to install electrics, heating, toilets, a kitchenette, changing facilities, a meeting space and storage.
The Town Hall Charity Trust was created largely from the proceeds of the sale of the former Town Hall in the High Street. The Town Council act as trustee for the charity, but the funds cannot be used to support the Council’s own activities.
Crown Wharf Theatre charity trustee Mark Doran said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this grant, which has really accelerated the project. It’s great to have the work planned out and under way on the back of house. These facilities will play a vital role in ensuring the theatre will deliver as much benefit to as many people in Stone as possible. As the work progresses on the back of house we are also making good strides in the auditorium, and the grant from the Town Hall Charity Trust has been a huge boost in helping us move the whole project forward this year.”
Councillor Mark Green, former Town Mayor and Chairman of the Town Hall Charity Trust at the time the grant was made, said: “These funds have been held in trust by the charity for the benefit of the town. I’m pleased to be able to announce that the Town Council, acting as the charity’s trustees, have been able to make this £50,000 grant to support the Crown Wharf Theatre charity and help this exciting project to reach fruition.”
The Crown Wharf Theatre charity would like to hear from local contractors, tradespeople and suppliers who can donate expertise, labour and materials to the back-of-house work.
You can see all the ways you can get involved and support the project at www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk
ENDS
20th May 2021
Les Trigg
Town Clerk
Stone Town Council
Telephone: 01785-619740
Email: clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk
