Cornwall theatre receives £300,000 funding to rebuild

Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre closed their canopied venue due to severe weather damage

Author: Megan PricePublished 26th Sep 2023

A theatre centre near Liskeard has been granted 300 thousand pounds to rebuild after storm damage.

45 local pubs, museums and sports clubs across the UK have been given Community Ownership levelling up funding to safeguard their future.

Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre will restore their currently closed theatre and resume community and professional performances and outreach programmes.

Nick Hart, chair, said: "Intense heat and some fairly severe storms, that canopy failed essentially.

"Christmas last year we suddenly had to put the closed sign up and say that we were no longer able to put performances on underneath the canopy. We then made the decision to take it down.

"We were forced to take it down and it was no longer safe"

Nick added they hope to reopen as soon as possible:

"Our plan is that we're open next year and we think we should be able to do that. It's really superb but it's not complicated, so we think we can build it quite quickly.

"After some very difficult times, with the pandemic and the loss of the canopy, thanks to the generous support of the government’s Community Ownership Fund all those involved in Sterts are now looking forward to a very successful future."

Funding will also go towards the refurbishment of the Old Library in Bodmin to create a sustainable hub for all members of the community.

Jacob Young, Minister for Levelling Up, said:

“Our priority is to support communities and deliver opportunities right across the country, which is why we’re investing £12.3m to secure the future of cherished community institutions.

“These places – from pubs to historic railway lines – are the golden thread which run through our social fabric, and keeping them going is vital for supporting communities.”

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