COVENTRY’S Albany Theatre Trust has expressed their delight that the city council has granted a £2.908million grant towards a major programme of capital works to help save the ‘much-loved’ art deco venue.
The grant will fund phase one of an ‘ambitious redevelopment’ including improvements to the existing studio theatre, three new studios a new café, plus better audience and community facilities.
David Meredith, Chair of the Albany Theatre Trust, said: “This is the latest crucial step towards creating a long-term sustainable future for the Albany.
“Far-sighted city councillors saved the former Butts Theatre over 15 years ago when City College moved out. The Trust has acted as custodian of this much-loved community venue since 2012. In 2017, we signed a 50-year lease not only for the main house but also for additional undeveloped space in the old college building.
“It has taken four years to prove our business plan is solid and to give the Council confidence that, with the new spaces we will now develop, we can operate successfully without being a burden for Coventry’s taxpayers. I pay tribute to Councillor John Mutton because without his support and commitment we might not have received the unanimous backing of councillors”.
Coun David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “I’m really pleased that councillors have given their backing for this investment in the Albany Theatre. We have already said that it is vital that we help to create sustainable models for the future, capable of delivering our ambitions as a cultural city. The Albany Theatre is an important cultural asset for the city, and I hope that in the months ahead it can expand its engagement with communities in the city.”
Kevin Shaw, CEO and artistic director, said: “We are creating a high-class, fully accessible arts and cultural venue to meet identified local needs.”
And Professor Andy Hardy, ATT’s vice chair, said: “For many, the Albany Theatre provides life changing opportunities, giving confidence and a strong sense of well-being to volunteers, audiences and participants of all ages and backgrounds.
“The Covid pandemic has brought home the need for human interaction and creativity.
“Before our enforced closure, 4-5,000 children and young people performed at the Albany every year; many thousands more enjoyed participatory events. Our focus now is to do what we can to support this young generation’s recovery from the scars of lockdown and improve the life chances of future generations.”
The Albany’s ethos is to promote wellbeing through ‘Arts for Life’. It stages in-house and professional touring dance, drama, music, and comedy shows, from professional ballet companies to fun-packed tribute acts, local community shows to Off-Broadway hits with day-to-day operations undertaken by a core paid team of professionals and an army of more than 100 volunteers.
