Once a theatre, always a theatre? How to evaluate whether theatre use is still right for your building Rebecca Morland Theatres Adviser The Theatres Trust

The Theatres Trust The National Advisory Body for Theatre The Theatres Trust Act 1976 The Theatres (Scotland) Act 1978 Promote the better protection of theatres

Four Service areas Planning Statutory consultee Grants For capital projects Theatres At Risk champion Advice On theatre buildings

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Theatres Magazine

Finborough Theatre, London RB of Kensington and Chelsea Listing: Unlisted Built: 1866 (Theatre conversion in 1980) Seating: 50 Theatre Pub Proposed Units

Building a fund to provide financial support to theatres in need. Our Small Grants Scheme was launched in 2012 thanks to the generous support of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and Judy Craymer MBE. The Trust’s Small Grants Scheme helps theatres in need and at risk address urgent building repairs, improve their operational viability, introduce environmental improvements, and enhance physical access.

Fifth round recipients Blackpool Grand Theatre Players Theatre Thame Trinity Tunbridge Wells Shanklin Theatre Isle of Wight Theatre Royal Stratford East London

Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2014 Press Launch

Assessing risks and value Published annually, the Theatre Buildings at Risk Register profiles theatres at risk. It includes theatres under threat of demolition and redevelopment, theatres that lie abandoned, neglected and decaying and theatres in use at risk of closure. It assesses physical risks to theatre buildings alongside theatres star qualities and their community value

Brighton Hippodrome, Grade II*, Risk Value 9 Image: The Theatres Trust

Plymouth Palace, Grade II*, Risk Value 9 Image: The Theatres Trust

Victoria Theatre, Salford, Grade II, Risk Value 9 Image: Ian Grundy

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME Heritage Fundraising Capital project Maintenance Project Delivery Planning Theatre Maintenance 15

We believe that xxxx will be more successful than the Birmingham Hippodrome We believe it is possible to grow visitors at xxxx beyond its current level of 60,000 per year.

Business Plan pitfalls Lack of evidence to back up assertions/ambitions Lack of research on comparator projects Lack of progression through period of plan Lack of supporting budgets

Product What is going to take place on stage? Amateur ? Professional? Theatre? Musicals? Music? Comedy? How do you attract and develop the right programme? On what terms?

Other activities Community events Youth/education What (if anything) will they earn? Quality control?

The market Who is going to make up your audience? Know your catchment area demographics Info from Council - regeneration/tourism Audience development agencies Acorn Transport to/from venue Parking Competing attractions

Acorn Acorn segments postcodes and neighbourhoods into 6 Categories, 18 Groups and 62 types, three of which are not private households. By analysing significant social factors and population behaviour, it provides precise information and in-depth understanding of the different types of people.

Other sources of income Bar/sweets & ices Can calculate likely take-up based on audience nos. and income Using fixed profit percentage Restaurant Hard to make money from a food offer unless positioned for day trade Conferences & Room hire Need infrastructure and to be in right place Sponsorship Be realistic not optimistic: amounts likely to be small

Creative use of theatre “Sweating the asset”

Shared use of building New Cultural Centre, Chester Cheshire West and Chester Council Decision: Approved Listed Grade II Seating: 800/ 150 Applicant: Cheshire West and Chester Council Architect: Bennetts TTT Advice: Approval

Long term tenants

Collaboration The Broad Chare Live Theatre, Newcastle and 21 Hospitality Group