St Ives Theatre receives first grant payment to refurbish and extend building

The project will see this cultural asset reconfigured and upgraded to provide an extended auditorium and new cafe/bar and reception area

Author: Amy ShephardPublished 8th Oct 2023

St Ives Theatre, home to award-winning youth theatre company Kidz R Us, has received its first grant payment of ÂŁ109,000 from the St Ives Town Deal Fund, as part of a ÂŁ1.5m project to refurbish and extend its theatre.

“This fantastic project will see this cultural asset reconfigured and upgraded to provide an extended auditorium and new cafe/bar and reception area and help the long term sustainability of the charity,” said Gareth Jones, Vice Chair of the St Ives Town Deal Board.

“We are delighted to provide the first grant payment to the project team and look forward to seeing work begin next year on the next phase of the scheme.”

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council Economy Portfolio holder said: “I’m pleased to see more and more local organisations in St Ives and across Cornwall receiving their funding from the Town Deal to enable the construction work to start. This project will not only benefit the local community, especially the young performers involved, but also help create jobs and increase income for the Kidz R Us charity.

“The Town Deal Fund is a great opportunity to invest in projects that help the regeneration of St Ives for years to come. Cornwall Council continues to work with the other approved projects to provide them with their grants in the coming months.”

Planning permission for the St Ives Theatre Regeneration project was granted in January 2023, with work on the first phase – the roof and façade of the converted Wesleyan chapel - beginning later the same month. Led by Shaun Rothwell and a team from Rothwell Historical Restoration, this phase was completed at the beginning of April enabling the theatre to stage its summer programme.

Work on the second phase of the project, which is supported by funding from the Town Deal, is currently due to begin in early January.

Formed by Phil Barnett in 1994 to encourage young people to get involved in the performing arts and support their development and the wider community, Kids R Us now work with around 100 children, teenagers and young adults a year.

During the past 29 years they have staged more than 1,500 performances and won numerous awards.

“As well as saving a historic building, our project will help to develop the existing theatre into a leading tourist attraction for the town, lengthening the season with more performances, daytime workshops and outreach programmes for schools,” said Phil Barnett.

“It will also provide a facility for touring theatrical companies; improve the visitor experience and support the further expansion of theatre opportunities for local children and young people. This will help to provide more permanent jobs and help us to introduce young performers and young audiences to the performing arts.

You can watch a short film about Kids R Us and the regeneration project here https://www.stivestowndeal.org.uk/st-ives-theatre-regeneration/

For more information about the St Ives Theatre visit https://kidzrus.net/

Nine projects in St Ives have been approved to share £19.9million from the UK Government’s Town Deal. These include plans to create a low carbon transport system, support local business and jobs, and develop new skills and supply chains, as well as provide new and transformed housing and community assets.

Of these six projects – St Ives Community Orchard and Nature Reserve, Leach Pottery, St Ives Guildhall, Housing and Rugby Club relocation, St Ives Enterprise Grants scheme and St Ives Theatre - have now received their first grant payments from the St Ives Town Deal Fund.

Part of the Levelling Up initiative, the Government’s Town Deal aims to support the towns regeneration and boost the economy in the regions. As the local Lead for the programme, Cornwall Council administrates the Fund and support the governance of the Board.

Find out more about St Ives Town Deal at www.stivestowndeal.org.uk

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