How has your venue been impacted since the pandemic?
Since the pandemic, our venue has experienced significant challenges and changes. Firstly, we were forced to close our doors for a total of 12 months out of the 2 COVID years due to restrictions and safety measures. This prolonged closure had a substantial financial impact on our operations.

To mitigate the financial strain, we sought assistance from the Culture Recovery Fund, which provided some much-needed support to help us navigate through the difficulties. Additionally, our prudent financial management and reserves played a crucial role in weathering the storm and sustaining our operations during the closure periods.

However, despite the challenges, there is a silver lining as we have seen a positive trend in recent times. Our efforts to engage with the community and adapt to changing circumstances have paid off, and we are witnessing a greater number of audience members returning to our venue than before the pandemic. This promising development gives us hope for the future and reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our patrons.

One thing you wish you knew when you started the venue?
One thing I wish I’d known is that no amount of forward planning can prepare you how many hours it requires to manage all the moving cogs in the complicated clockwork of running a theatre, from safeguarding and fire regulations to audience direction and artistic programming.

All the best

Matt & the rest of the team!