Newbury’s Watermill Theatre has announced it has successfully secured two funding bids to continue to protect and conserve its unique site, as well as make improvements to accessibility and environmental sustainability.
“The development and upkeep of our historic buildings and beautiful site is of paramount importance, and we are delighted that these two grants will help us to make vital improvements to The Watermill,” said the theatre’s executive director Claire Murray.
The Watermill will receive £118,842 from Arts Council England, thanks to its government-funded Capital Investment Programme. This funding will support improving accessibility and wheelchair access, increasing auditorium capacity, and ensuring a more comfortable audience experience.
The theatre will also use this funding to replace its studio floor, purchase a second long-range electric van and install six electric car chargers for use by staff, creatives and visitors.
Meanwhile, a further £5,000 grant from Theatres Trust Small Grants will contribute to the replacement of an exterior staircase, providing access to dressing rooms, and emergency access for audiences.
“Thanks to the funding from Arts Council England we will be able to improve accessibility across all of our buildings and reduce our carbon emissions,” said Claire. “Meanwhile, The Theatres Trust grant will help towards the replacement of a staircase that is an integral feature of our beautiful converted watermill.”
To find out more about the theatre’s plans and see what’s coming to its stage soon, visit www.watermill.org.uk
