New theatre set to open this year in town

Abrand new theatre in Stone is set to open its doors this year after the charity behind it secured £495,000 in grant funding to finish the job and deliver a professional-standard theatre for the town.

With the support of Stafford Borough Council, the grant has been awarded to Crown Wharf Theatre by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

A spokesman for the theatre said: “The grant will enable the installation of the heating ventilation and cooling system, which for some time has been the most significant outstanding challenge.

Beyond that, it means the community cinema equipment can be in place from day one and the charity can kit the theatre out with excellent lighting, sound and audio-visual equipment.

“All this will enable the theatre to achieve its mission of bringing professional standard facilities to Stone for all to enjoy, while also helping to attract professional touring shows and performers to the town.”

The spokesman continued: “As far back as 2018, Stone Town Council and Joule’s Brewery recognised the potential in delivering a theatre for the town and played key roles in getting the project up and running.

“For several years since, through the amazing support of volunteers, local businesses, seat sponsors and Founding Partners, the town has come together to develop an empty shell into what, today, looks every bit like a theatre.

“It’s thanks to all the hard work, perseverance and wholehearted community support that the charity was able to demonstrate just how much Stone’s new theatre, cinema and community space deserved this significant funding grant to get the job done.”

Harri Capernaros, Crown Wharf Theatre trustee, said: “Completing the building will be a huge milestone for the charity but is in fact only the beginning when it comes to bringing this space to life. It has been a people-powered project to date and its future success lies in a far great number of people getting involved, whether using the space, volunteering their time, or simply enjoying the wide variety of entertainment and activities on offer.

“As a volunteer-run and not-for-profit organisation, we believe the Crown Wharf Theatre has every chance of becoming a self-sustaining asset to Stone that can improve our wonderful town and the lives of people living here. But to make this happen, we will all have a part to play.”

Fellow Crown Wharf Theatre trustee Rob Kenney added: “It’s a huge cherry on top of the Crown Wharf Theatre Christmas cake that will enable the trustees to deliver an even higher quality theatre than anticipated.”

To find out more go online to www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk.