Picture House Theatre Saved!
Sunninghill Trust to purchase and refurbish theatre on behalf of the community
Local community group, ‘Save the Novello Picture House’, is delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the first phase of their long-running campaign to protect Sunninghill’s historical theatre from the threat of demolition.
An innovative deal with The Sunninghill Trust will see the trust purchasing and refurbishing the theatre, before making it available to the local community through an affordable lease to the Cordes Hall Charity. The sale of the theatre to the Sunninghill Trust was completed on Friday 30 May.
This partnership will fulfil the long-term vision of the campaign group to manage the neighbouring venues – the Picture House Theatre and the Cordes Hall – together, as one vibrant arts hub, benefitting amateur and professional performers as well as vastly increasing venue space for hire.
Responding to the news that the Sunninghill Trust had secured ownership of the theatre, campaign coordinator, Alan Everett said: “This is a fantastic outcome for local performers and residents, and 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 funding for the initial phase of the project – the purchase and refurbishment – will come from the Sunninghill Trust and ensure the building itself is brought up to modern standards. Fundraising generated from the campaign group will be used to cover the costs of the internal fit-out of the theatre.
Celebrating the purchase of the theatre, a spokesperson for the Sunninghill Trust commented: “We are delighted to announce our significant support for this project by bringing an under-utilised 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.”
