Businesses can help Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre take a stride towards a fundraising target by taking a step in its new development that will make it more self-sustainable in the future.
The Theatre, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018, has ambitious plans for growth as Coventry heads towards UK City of Culture in 2021.
It is undergoing a £4.8m development project which it will complete by September 2020. Work on phase one – to refresh the Main Stage Auditorium to create a more enjoyable experience for audiences and visitors – has now been completed and receiving positive feedback from visitors.
Phase two – the redevelopment of the café and first floor Burbidge Room, which will help secure the Theatre’s long-term sustainability – requires further money to be raised and businesses across the region are being asked for their support in the Play Your Part campaign.
The Belgrade Theatre, which is a registered charity (number 219163), is aiming to raise £600,000 from individuals, businesses and trusts by September 2020 through Play Your Part.
One way companies can back the campaign and take centre stage in the new development is to Sponsor a Step on the new staircase that will be a centrepiece of the redeveloped café.
Already, several businesses have sponsored a step at £2,020 (+VAT) and will see their names grace the staircase when work is completed next year. However, there are a variety of ways to recognise support to meet the varying budgets available to companies.
The Theatre is also ready to have conversations with potential naming rights sponsors for other elements of the development, such as the new café itself.
Helen Hotchkiss, Head of Development at the Belgrade Theatre, said business support will be key to the completion of the 2020 Redevelopment Project.
She said: “We are all very excited about 2021 and Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture. The Belgrade Theatre will play a major role in the year and also the legacy that it leaves.
“That is why this is the perfect time for our redevelopment to take place because we are striving to become even more sustainable into 2021 and beyond.
“But we can’t do it without the help of our wonderful supporters and we are keen to engage with more businesses who can both back our cause and also raise their own profile with us through Play Your Part.
“The new staircase is going to be a very striking feature in the new café and sponsoring a step will certainly draw attention to those businesses who value the transformative power of the arts and particularly the charitable work of the Belgrade.”
A range of local businesses found out all about the project at a breakfast event at the Theatre.
If you would like to play your part in the legacy of 2021 and the work of the Belgrade, please email corporates@belgrade.co.uk or phone 02476 846 758