Council agrees ‘multi-million-pound package’ for Worthing Theatres and Museum – but overall funding will reduce

The council said the investment would ‘enable the charity to continue delivering the outstanding programme of theatre, live music, comedy, dance, exhibitions, cinema, family entertainment, workshops and community events that enrich the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors every year’.

The agreement, which runs from April 2027 to March 2032, will see the council contribute a total of £5,309,170.

According to a council document, funding will fall from £1,180,234 in 2027/28 to £999,234 by 2031/32, representing a 28.6 per cent reduction in the authority’s contribution compared with the 2024/25 funding level.

The council’s ‘wider operating agreement’ with WTM will run until October 2044, and requires the authority to pay an annual service fee to WTM in two equal instalments in April and October.

A council spokesperson said: “Alongside the council's significant investment, the agreement supports WTM’s ambition to become increasingly financially resilient through commercial income, external funding, fundraising and developing new partnerships.

“This approach will help ensure the organisation can continue investing in high-quality cultural experiences for future generations while making the best use of public funding.

“The new agreement also provides important stability around local government reorganisation, enabling WTM to confidently plan for the future while ensuring residents and visitors continue to benefit from an exceptional year-round cultural programme that supports the local economy.”

WTM, which runs the Connaught Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, Assembly Hall and Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, was established as an independent charity in November 2019.

At the time, former chief executive Amanda O’Reilly said the organisation would move towards complete financial independence over ‘the next few years’.

Councillor Dom Ford, WBC’s cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, said: “WTM are at the heart of our cultural community. They enrich people’s lives, support our local economy, attract visitors and help make our town a fantastic place to live and work.

“By agreeing this new five-year partnership, we are providing the stability Worthing Theatres and Museum needs to plan for the future, while recognising the financial challenges facing local government.

“We are confident this agreement strikes the right balance between protecting our cultural offer and supporting Worthing Theatres and Museum’s continued journey towards greater financial independence.”

James Turnbull, chair of WTM, added: “This significant agreement gives us the long-term confidence to plan ambitiously, strengthen our financial resilience and ensure Worthing continues to benefit from high-quality theatres, a thriving museum and an ambitious cultural programme.

“WTM is an important part of the town’s cultural, social and economic infrastructure. We bring people together, support jobs and local businesses, attract visitors to the town and provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience and participate in arts, culture and heritage.

“We recognise the responsibility that comes with this public investment. Over the next five years, we will work with the council to increase our impact, grow the income we generate and ensure these much-loved civic assets deliver lasting value for the whole of Worthing and Sussex.”