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Theatre of Small Convenience -Big Refurb

Theatre of Small Convenience -Big Refurb

The Theatre of Small Convenience By The Theatre of Small Convenience

Please help us bring the Theatre of Small Convenience on Edith Walk, Great Malvern back to life. After this much-loved venue suffered a fire in 2021 it now needs some love to be able to reopen.

Great Malvern Delivery stage

198
backers
£17,795
raised
funded icon
This project was funded on 12 Nov 2024!

We aim to bring the Theatre of Small Convenience (ToSC) back to its former glory, through sensitive restoration and improvement. We'll build on its reputation and take it on to a new ambitious chapter. We will restore and adapt the building to enable us to host the most diverse and flexible programme possible in the limited space. With the support of your funding we aim to open in 2025 with events that will benefit everyone, not only the people living in Malvern and the surrounding area but visitors and people curious to see and experience arts in this unique venue. We will create an attraction that will have local, regional, and national notoriety making a valuable addition to the tourism offer as the smallest theatre in the world (Guinness Book of World Records 2002). We will continue the legacy created by Dennis Neale who established this little treasure in the heart of Malvern and is known to people all over the world.

What we'll deliver:

  • A new roof ,drainage improvements and damp proofing
  • Restored interior with a new display system for exhibitions
  • Rewire, fire and intruder alarm system

Why it's a great idea:

Everyone will benefit from ToSC reopening: we know this because we have talked to the community and connected with people via social media. ToSC will be a valued venue that offers a unique experience for people of all ages living in Malvern and beyond. ToSC will provide a small friendly space for everyone, welcoming diversity and individuality for those who may find larger venues difficult. There is potential to make links with local groups and co-produce exhibitions, shows, and projects to widen social inclusion and community cohesion. We will seek to collaborate with the local museum and civic societies as well as other arts providers such as Malvern Cube and Feast Festival. Reviews on Trip Advisor show that the Theatre was a popular visitor attraction with an impressive national and international reputation. ToSC features in "Twenty Theatres You Should See Before You Die" by Amber Massie-Blomfield (2018). Reopening ToSC also builds on the cultural notoriety of Malvern itself.

Steps to get it done:

  • Complete roof repairs
  • Rewire the Theatre
  • Complete a damp course
  • Refurbish the interior

Malvern District Council have agreed the transfer of the Theatre to our Community Interest Company (CIC) to enable us to restore the theatre back to it's former glory. We have done this in consultation with Dennis Neale, ToSC's founder and want to keep the original vision at the heart of everything we do. We are a new organisation and have been working in the background to get to this point. We anticipate all the paperwork will be complete by the end of the year ready for us to start work in the New Year, when we will take out public liability insurance and all the necessary licenses and paperwork to move the project forward.

Location Great Malvern

About the space

Custom Location

Council

Malvern Hills District Council

How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees)  £17,015

Roof and drainage (to prevent damp) - £6,450
Fire Alarm installation - £2,900
Electrical Work - £2,050
15% contingency - £1,710
Paint - £824
Extractor Fan Unit - £496
Skip Hire - £484
Preparation and Painting of the door - £350
Speaker system - £99

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

Roof and drainage (to prevent damp)
£6,450
Fire Alarm installation
£2,900
Electrical Work
£2,050
15% contingency
£1,710
Paint
£824
Extractor Fan Unit
£496
Skip Hire
£484
Preparation and Painting of the door
£350
Speaker system
£99

Overfunding

This project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:

  • Plastering and restoring paintwork
  • Lighting and signage
  • Projector and screen equipment

Target (inc. fees)  £17,015

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.
  • We would love some advice from anyone who has expertise in the legal side of buildings and land ownership. If you have expertise in planning and building law we'd love to hear from you.
  • We are looking for wood to create an installation for the Christmas lights switch on. We need round wood or plastic pipe at least 5 foot long, 18 lengths. We also need 2" by 2" timber, we need about 60 feet in total, longest length 6 foot. Thanks
  • Do you know about drainage and damp proofing? We'd love some advice, we've had lots of conflicting information on how to solve the damp problems in the theatre. Thanks

Want to help?

Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.

Volunteer

Offers

Steve Fox offered
I am not an expert in building, however I have worked in construction for 40 years and can probably look over your contracts and help you assess the conflicting drainage and damp proofing advice
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