The Town Hall Charity Trust, which is managed by Stone Town Council, has given a fundraising boost to the Crown Wharf Theatre Charity as they bring to fruition their plans for a new theatre and community event space in Stone.
The canal-side Crown Wharf Theatre charity will use the £50,000 grant 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.
£25,000 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 remaining £25,000 will be used for the internal fit-out, helping the Crown Wharf Theatre charity to install electrics, heating, toilets, a kitchenette, changing facilities, 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 a 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 of the funding:
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this grant, which has really accelerated the project.
It’s great to have the work planned out and underway 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
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