Latest news with #NeilBurge
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'At-risk' Cheltenham Playhouse given £25k grant by council
A community theatre has been given a council grant after announcing it would close without urgent Playhouse announced last month that it needed to raise an initial £50,000 by the end of June as it did not have the "depth of funds" required to Burge, acting chair of the Board of Trustees at Cheltenham Playhouse, said the "first milestone is within reach" after receiving a £25,000 grant from Cheltenham Borough Council, which owns the Cheltenham Playhouse, which will celebrate its 80th birthday in 2025, hopes to raise £100,000 by the end of the year. A long-term masterplan had been devised by new theatre trustees but financial support is needed to keep the doors of the 180-seat Cheltenham Playhouse oldest parts of the Grade II listed Regency building date back to 1806, and the former swimming baths still exist underneath the Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, wellbeing, culture, and public realm at Cheltenham Borough Council, said Cheltenham Playhouse "makes the world of art inclusive and accessible"."It's only right that we come together and do all we can to ensure the theatre has the funding in place to continue now and long term, for the benefit of our future generations," he added. Mr Tailford added the council would be "working closely" with Cheltenham Playhouse to see what it can do to support Burge from Cheltenham Playhouse said the theatre was "so grateful" for the grant."This grant has changed the outlook of our emergency fundraising and our first milestone is within reach, allowing us to think more positively," Mr Burge said."Along with the incredible donations we have seen from our community, this figure allows us to plan for a brighter future as we move to the second phase of our fundraising."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cheltenham Playhouse: 'High risk' theatre will close without urgent funds
Bosses of a Grade-II listed theatre have warned there is a "high risk" it will close because its finances are in a "critical" Cheltenham Playhouse trustees say they do not currently have the "depth of funds" to Burge, acting chair for the board of trustees, said the "finances we inherited were in a desperate state," adding it could survive if it can get past short-term money issues."Unless we receive some urgent help and funds, there is a high risk that the theatre won't continue," Mr Burge added. Mr Burge added: "We are trying to rebuild after a number of tough trading years."The huge gestures of financial support we have received from our community since our publicity earlier in the year have kept us going this far and allowed us to rebuild a level of financial reserve."We know that we would have had to encounter this decision a lot earlier without it. "However, we are reaching a point where we simply don't have the depth of funds to keep the doors open, particularly looking after an old building which is expensive to run and maintain." Mr Burge said they felt there was hope for a "long-term future" for the theatre but there were more immediate money problems."The societies and groups using the theatre are regular and loyal and we can see a scenario where, with robust management going forward, we survive."What we can't get over is the short-term cash flow problem and this is leaving us in a critical situation," he added.
