Four new staff have started work at the Winter Gardens ready to help take the restoration of the Morecambe theatre to the next level.
The team of Terry Allum, Rick Woodstock, Don Hastie and Char Binns were recruited for a two-year project to increase volunteer and audience engagement at the 19th century theatre on Marine Road.
This is part of the ongoing restoration work at the Winter Gardens, which closed in 1977 but reopens now for weekend tours and other events.
The aim is to fully reopen the theatre with a 1600 standing, and 11-1200 seating capacity, bringing it back to the levels of its heyday.
Terry Allum is the theatre’s new Events & Engagement Coordinator. Terry will work with local organisations and create an exciting new programme of events, while also leading on a Young Creatives programme.
The project will work directly with young people on their engagement with the Winter Gardens, and will be held in partnership with Lancaster and Morecambe College, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund government money via Lancaster City Council.
Rick Woodstock is the theatre's new Volunteer Coordinator, tasked with recruiting a crack team of dedicated and skilled volunteers to continue looking after the venue.
Don Hastie is the team’s Project Support Officer, who will set up systems to modernise working practices and promote efficiency.
Char Binns is the new Digital Support Officer, who will drive audience engagement through increased social media presence and an updated website.
Since the Winter Gardens was awarded £2.78m from the government's Cultural Development Fund last year, work has been completed on restoration of the theatre’s unique Victorian ceramic floor and other lost architectural features, with more work due to start later this year.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chair of theatre owners the Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, said: “This is a very exciting time at the Winter Gardens.
"Our new project team is raring to go and will provide invaluable support to the trust, as we move our restoration plans forward.
"The team will be working alongside the trustees, our fantastic volunteers, architects, builders, funders and everyone else who makes up the community supporting the development of this wonderful venue.”
THE HISTORY OF THE WINTER GARDENS
The Winter Gardens Morecambe opened in 1897 as the Victoria Pavillion Concert Hall and Variety Theatre, as an extension to the existing Winter Gardens Complex which opened in 1878.
Over the years it was the home of the original Morecambe Music Festival, played host to Sir Edward Elgar, the Halle Orchestra and many others from variety, music and theatre. From The Who to Dame Julie Andrews, Chung Ling Soo to Lawrence Olivier, the venue’s history is a roll call of stars of popular music and variety theatre.
Built as both a concert hall and variety theatre, its 2500 capacity was one of the largest in the North West and it quickly became known as the Albert Hall of the North.
With its lavish interiors, striking architectural features and a view to rival the bay of Naples, the Winter Gardens was at the heart of a thriving seaside resort.
By the mid-1970s, its fortunes were in decline and by 1977, the decision was taken to close the whole complex, culminating in 1982 with the demolition of the original Winter Gardens leaving only the theatre remaining and in a perilous position.
However, a group of dedicated people formed the Friends of the Winter Gardens and have worked together since then with one aim to reopen the building that was once at the heart of Morecambe both architecturally and as a centre for culture and entertainment.
With the formation of the Preservation Trust in 2006, ownership of the Winter Gardens was transferred to the charitable body who have spent years cleaning, restoring, and fundraising to continue this aim.
Now under new governance, the Preservation Trust with the help of restoration volunteers and the Friends of the Winter Gardens are a step closer to those dreams of many decades ago to finally restoring this remarkable Grade II* building.
Read more: INTERVIEW: Winter Gardens chair lays out plan to restore theatre to its heyday - Beyond Radio
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