ABOUT BAC: PRESS RELEASES: 09.01.08
The council and Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) have announced details of a new agreement that will secure the future of one of the country's most vibrant arts venues.
The council, which owns the freehold of the Grade II* listed building, will grant BAC a 125-year lease of the premises. This will enable BAC to develop its own long term plans for the venue.
BAC will take on responsibility for building repairs and will raise money in a visionary scheme to develop and safeguard the future of the building. The council has granted an initial 10-year rent-free period to enable this to happen
The detailed lease will be considered by councillors at meetings of the environment and leisure and corporate resources overview and scrutiny committees. The final decision will be taken by the council's executive on November 26.
BAC chair Nick Starr said:
"We are close to the finishing line. What we have with the council is a straight-forward arrangement where BAC take on ownership of the building and responsibility for its upkeep.
mf
"This in turn will give us the freedom to press forward with a range of ambitious plans for the venue. Our dream is to make Battersea the most dynamic arts space in the country. Thanks to the council we now have that opportunity."
Council leader Edward Lister added:
"This will be an excellent outcome for the people of the borough. The building will be looked after, the council tax-payer will be protected and the venue will have the chance to flourish.
"The arrangement provides certainty for BAC and will, I am sure, prove the key to releasing the energy that will be needed to drive the whole project forward. The BAC team has displayed terrific vision and enterprise. The future could not be more exciting."
The council will continue to support youth theatre work at the centre as part of its annual grants programme. This funding is worth £85,000 in 2007/2008.
The environment and leisure OSC meets on October 30 followed by the corporate resources OSC on November 21. Councillors on both committees will scrutinise the draft lease in detail before reporting to the executive on November 26.
09.01.08:
Arts centre aims for dynamic future 10.05.07:
The Red Death is coming… 11.01.08:
N20 Comedy at BAC 15.04.08:
BAC Welcome you to BURST – a festival of theatre, music and play 15.11.07:
The Masque of the Red Death - New Dates Added 16.04.08:
A new leadership team for an exciting new stage in the development of BAC 18.01.07:
BAC WILL CLOSE IF WANDSWORTH CUTS PROCEED 18.01.07:
BAC WILL CLOSE IF WANDSWORTH CUTS PROCEED 20.03.07:
BAC ANNOUNCES FUTURE 31.01.07:
Wandsworth Borough Council announce new proposal to BAC that will still result in the theatre’s closure |