As the National Advisory Body for Theatres, The Theatres Trust works to secure a sustainable future for theatre buildings. Its aim is to ensure that current and future generations have access to good quality theatres that reflect our cultural life and offer inspiring places to enjoy theatre.
Mhora Samuel, director of The Theatres Trust, said: "This year saw the Trust once again in the spotlight - alerting authorities to the impact of relaxation of planning policy on the viability of theatres, continuing to be a voice for theatres, raising awareness of their needs, and celebrating the resilience and creativity of those in charge of our theatre buildings."
In 2013/14 the Trust published its annual Theatre Buildings at Risk Register, awarded 10 grants totalling £50,000 from its Small Grants Scheme, launched visittheatres.org and promoted the importance of Community Rights in the protection of theatres at its Conference 13: thriving theatres.
As a statutory consultee in the planning system it advised on 99 theatre-related planning applications and 44 theatre-related listed building consultations. It also contributed to 300 local plan consultations securing cultural policies to protect theatres.
The Theatres Advice Service launched a new workshop programme Building Better Theatres supporting theatres' capital project planning, advised 55 theatres on their capital project development, viability conservation, and maintenance.
Rob Dickins CBE, Chairman of The Theatres Trust said: "In the six years I have served as the Trust's chairman we have addressed some of the big issues. We continued to protect theatres through providing our expert advice during one of the worst recessions of our time, led on achieving recognition for culture in national planning policy, delivered a landmark environmental awareness project, Ecovenue, helping theatres to improve their environmental performance, and began what I hope will be a long tradition of grant making through our Theatres Protection Fund."
(Jim Evans)
