Saving Wilton's - £700,000 award announced
Wednesday 01 February 2012
Wilton’s receives significant donation from SITA Trust to secure Phase 1 of 3 of the Capital Project.Wilton’s Music Hall in East London has received a £700,000 funding boost from SITA Trust for their Phased Capital Project to conserve and protect the last surviving Grand Music Hall in the world.
This grant, alongside funds already raised, mean that major works on the roofs, basement, soundproofing, ventilation and electrics can be carried out on the auditorium, where they are most needed. This work is a key step to preserving and conserving this remarkable Music Hall for generations to come.
Frances Mayhew, Wilton’s Artistic Director, spoke today of this news:
“We are simply thrilled with this grant, it really has made all the difference to our Capital Project and we cannot thank SITA Trust enough. Wilton’s is such an extraordinary heritage building and, a thriving cultural centre for now, that simply has to be saved. SITA Trust recognised this and this remarkable grant will mean we can complete Phase 1 of the Capital Project and save the stunning auditorium at Wilton’s. This gives us confidence that we can raise the necessary funds for Phases 2 and 3 of this Project to secure the terrace houses that are our Front of House areas. We now urge everyone to step forward and help us raise the next £2.2 million needed!”
David Suchet, well loved Actor and Patron of Wilton’s Capital Project, also spoke today of this news:
“Wilton’s is a place that is very dear to my heart and I am passionate about saving this wonderful building which really is unique – the only one in the world. This grant from SITA Trust is the most generous, important and tremendous boost for Wilton’s. I am so looking forward to this building work starting, hopefully as early as June, knowing that Wilton’s is at the start of being saved once and for all. We cannot thank SITA Trust enough for believing in Wilton’s and starting to make this happen.”
Jools Granville of SITA Trust said:
" We are delighted to be able to provide the £700,000 required to restore the auditorium of the World's oldest surviving grand music hall. Phase 1 is a stand-alone project which will literally enable the hall to be saved and remain open, allowing heritage, arts and community activities to develop and flourish in the future. Over the past 15 years SITA Trust has been able to step in to save such important community facilities from closing thanks to governmental support for the Landfill Communities Fund - through which we have been able to provide over £85 million in easily accessible and vital capital funding. We hope that this significant grant will encourage other funders to come forward to support phases 2 and 3 ultimately removing Wilton's from the Heritage at Risk Register."
Wilton’s has had a colourful and rich history. From a Grand Music Hall where stars such as Champagne Charlie and Arthur Lloyd performed on stage to a local Wesleyan Mission for almost 70 years to near dereliction and now to a thriving cultural venue. It presents a year round diverse and distinct programme of live events including theatre, music, comedy, cinema and cabaret.
SITA Trust provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is available for projects that enhance communities and enrich nature.
Ends.
For further information please contact:
Ben Chamberlain at The Corner Shop Public Relations on 020 7494 3665 or email ben@thecornershoppr.com
Jools Granville at SITA Trust on 01454 262940 or 07870 253048 jools.granville@sitatrust.org.uk
Notes to the editor
Wilton’s Phased Capital Project
Wilton’s is embarking on a Phased Capital Project to conserve and protect this stunning building as well as open up the remaining 40% of the building that is currently not accessible at all.
PHASE 1
The shell of the Music Hall is in sound structural condition but essential works are needed to keep the building open including major works on the roofs, basement, soundproofing, ventilation and electrics.
THE FULL DETAILS OF THE WORK INCLUDE:
• Damp-proofing & waterproofing work to the brick basement structures
• Renewal of external paving and work to drainage to prevent water ingress
• Repairs to timber decay in the Music Hall floor structure
• Repairs to external walls and roofs particularly at the stage and apse ends
• Renovation & restoration of windows and doors
• Sound proofing work to the roofs, windows and doors
• Work to the Hall balcony to improve its strength and stability
• Installation of an effective heating and ventilation systems
• Work to enable the performance lighting installation which is created individually for each production to be done more safely and less obtrusively
• Improvements to fire exits, emergency lighting and safety systems
• Improvements to access (and enjoyment by) people with disabilities
• Careful conservation of internal character of Wilton’s
The cost to this Phase is £1.1 million.
PHASES 2 & 3
The terrace of 5 Georgian houses (which make up the bar, front of house and mezzanine area) are in a fragile condition and works in Phase 2 & 3 will protect and secure both the internal and external of these houses, as well as open up the top floor that is currently not safe for the general public. These spaces will be our new studio and rehearsal spaces.
THE FULL DETAILS OF THE WORK INCLUDE:
• Renovating of the roof and restore roof lights
• Repairing and conserving façade, doors and window
• Extending stairs to the upper floor to the new studio and rehearsal space
• Improving fire safety doors
• Renovating and inserting lift for disabled access
• Work on electrical and heating installations
• Strengthening and soundproofing the floors
• Damp proofing the basements
• New pavement in Graces Alley
• Careful conservation of internal character
The cost to these Phases is £2.2 million.
Notes to the editor
For information on how to apply for funding from SITA Trust call (01454) 262910 or visit www.sitatrust.org.uk
SITA Trust
SITA Trust is an independent funding body set up in 1997 to provide funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. To date SITA Trust has supported more than 3000 projects to a combined value of over £85 million.
Enhancing Communities - SITA Trust funding enhances communities in England, Scotland and Wales by supporting community driven projects to improve vital public recreation facilities such as village halls, community centres, sport, heritage, green spaces and play areas.
Enriching Nature - SITA Trust funding enriches nature by supporting biodiversity conservation projects in England’s 9 Biodiversity Regions. Projects must focus on species or habitats identified in the UK BAP process.
The Landfill Communities Fund
SITA Trust receives its funding through HM Government’s Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is donated by SITA UK, one of the nation’s largest recycling and resource management companies.
1. Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste.
2. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.2% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects.
3. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST.
For media enquiries about SITA Trust please contact Jools Granville, Communications Manager on 01454 262940 mobile 07870 253048 or email jools.granville@sitatrust.org.uk