4 days ago
Novello Picture House: Theatre saved with charity purchase
Campaigners working to save a run-down theatre from demolition are celebrating success after its sale to a charitable Theatre in Sunninghill, Berkshire, has been bought by the Sunninghill Trust, which will also fund the building's 100-year-old former cinema will be linked to neighbouring Cordes Hall, with Cordes Hall Charity running both venues "as one vibrant arts hub".Campaign coordinator Alan Everett described the development as "a fantastic outcome for local performers and residents".
The historical building was owned by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead which, last year, gave campaign group Save Novello Picture House the opportunity to buy it before it was offered on the open purchase, which completed on Friday, will see the Sunninghill Trust "bring the building up to modern standards" and make it "available to the local community through an affordable lease" to the Cordes Hall raised by the campaign group will pay for the internal theatre Everett said: "We are deeply grateful to the Sunninghill Trust for their generous support. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with the trust during the initial refurbishment phase and ultimately bringing this much-loved historical building back to life."
The Sunninghill Trust was established in 1813 and provides allotments and grants to relieve hardship and help the community.A trust spokesperson said: "We are delighted to announce our significant support for this project by bringing an underutilised asset back into community use. "The theatre sits right in the heart of our support area."We look forward to working closely with the Cordes Hall Charity on this project."
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