Ludlow Assembly Rooms given £350,000 'vote of support'
A town arts and theatre venue has been given a "massive vote of support" after receiving £350,000 for a refurbishment, bosses said today.
The Victorian Ludlow Assembly Rooms will be modernised in what the venue's chief executive Helen Hughes called a "massive vote of support".
It is hoped the investment by Arts Council England will secure the venue for the future.
The iconic building is Ludlow's main dedicated theatre, film and arts centre.
Mrs Hughes said: "The fantastic news about this grant, which demonstrates the support and confidence of Arts Council England in Ludlow Assembly Rooms, puts our ambitious plans to modernise the building within reach.
"This in turn will put us on a sustainable footing – economically, socially and environmentally – and enable us to serve all parts of our community."
She said it was good news as money from local authorities, already severely slashed, was set to dwindle further.
She said: "Support from The Arts Council England shows, without a shadow of doubt, that our plans are robust and credible.
"Now that these plans have passed the most demanding nationals tests, we can confidently approach other funders, the private sector and individual donors who – we are sure – will now help us realise this fantastic project."
A plan to overhaul the building has been in the pipeline since Shropshire Council decided to move out of the ground floor of the building, where it used to run a visitor information centre and a museum.
Work to be done includes moving the main entrance from Mill Street to Castle Square, re-instating the visitor information centre in it former place, along with the Box Office, putting a café in former museum the space, opening up the grand staircase, installing a new lift and ground floor toilets, and improving energy efficiency.
Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: "We're delighted to be supporting plans to modernise Ludlow Assembly Rooms, making the venue more economically and environmentally sustainable for the future.
"Visitors to the Assembly Rooms will be treated to brand new spaces and facilities. We hope to see this investment benefit local artists and audiences, as well as supporting the region's creative economy to thrive."
