Future of Hastings arts venue ‘uncertain’

An arts venue is set to remain shut for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
St Mary-in-the-Castle SUS-201030-122013001St Mary-in-the-Castle SUS-201030-122013001
St Mary-in-the-Castle SUS-201030-122013001

St Mary-in-the-Castle, in Pelham Crescent, was set to be reopened before the end of the year.

A statement from the venue’s trustees said: “The trustees inherited a functioning arts centre but one working from hand to mouth so that no extra expenditure could be spent on repairs, such as badly needed new boilers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They looked carefully at the finances and set about establishing a full and exciting range of events with a view to beginning to turn in a profit so that essential works can be done and with a view to promoting events as a venue, rather than just relying on hires.

“The plans for 2020 into 2021 was exciting, vibrant and should have started to show benefits by the turn of the year.

“Unfortunately the pandemic appeared and, like all venues, they found themselves having to close with very little notice.

“The costs of closures have been phenomenal, things purchased for the bar fell out of date and have had to be thrown away.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Working from hand to mouth and with now no income from hires and events, the trustees had no choice but to furlough all the staff.

“Under furlough rules the staff cannot take part in any work associated with the venue so the trustees had to take on the roles of running the empty building themselves as volunteers, including routine cleaning.

“They were eating into reserves quickly simply to keep the building maintained and it became apparent that they had no choice that come the end of furlough the staff would have to be made redundant.

“The trustees have not ceased to apply for grant funding, looking to a day when the building can be properly reopened as a fully functioning arts centre and the planned events put into place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The trustees were, of course, aware of the Arts Council Culture fund but were unable to apply for it because they were advised that they didn’t fit the very narrow criteria required.

“This does not mean that discussions are not continuing with the Arts Council and other bodies to see what funding can be made available to keep the building open.

“This has however forced the venue into an even greater financial difficulty than it was before meaning the arts in Hastings have been dealt a blow.

“Trustees were hoping to reopen before the end of 2020 but the new rule of six and tier system, together with rising virus numbers and government predictions that the virus could be with us well into 2021 and associated uncertainty mean that this simply isn’t possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The funds are available to keep things ticking over but there is no extra for things like deep cleaning between events without making hire fees or ticket prices too expensive.

“It is heartbreaking to not be able to open and the trustees share the anger that government funding and care for the arts and the many freelance artists who rely on such work is woefully insufficient.

“The trustees have looked into various things that could be run, such as film nights but the costs involved do not make reopening viable.

“All we can do is hope that the virus goes before the reserves run out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In the meantime every grant possible is being applied for, but it is a small sum being shared among a huge number of venues and artists.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics: