Worthing Theatres and Museum has received a grant of £1,834 to aid in preparations for reopening all venues later this year. WTM have done everything possible with the resources available to ensure audiences still have access to arts and creativity during a time when it is needed more than ever. This funding will further support the WTM staff team in working safely on and off site to create and curate work for their in-person and digital audiences; and allow the organisation to purchase additional equipment to ensure the safety and confidence of their audiences as the venues reopen.

Last autumn Worthing Theatres and Museum successfully trialled the gradual reopening of all its venues. Including the reopening of Worthing Museum, a fantastic season of stand-up comedy, stunning Screen Arts line-up and a magical family Christmas show. Additional measures and safety procedures already introduced include socially distanced seating; PPE for all staff; ensuring hand sanitiser is available throughout their venues; clear signage displaying Covid-19 safety messaging; using electronic ticketing in place of paper tickets; one way systems and exits; and offering audiences the opportunity order refreshments through an app and that refreshments are delivered directly to their seats.

The support from the Theatres Reopening Fund, administered by the Theatres Trust, will allow WTM to further prepare for a full reopening funding additional equipment to keep our team and audiences safe and connected. Including Perspex screens to allow staff to work safely within the venues, an additional fogger and the necessary antibacterial spray solution that ensures we are able to reopen multiple venues, have multiple performances at a time and continue our rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures and LED screens used to display essential safety information and Covid-19 messaging in a variety of formats so that audiences can see and understand messaging.

CEO Amanda O’Reilly says ‘We are looking forward to reopening and welcoming our community back into the venues as soon as we are able to do so. The support of the Theatres Trust will aid in preparations for reopening, facilitating additional measures that will help ensure the safety of our audiences and the WTM team.’

As a charitable organisation WTM rely on the support of audiences and the community to develop our programme on stage and screen, in our museum, and within the community. If you would like to find out more about supporting WTM, you can at www.wtm.uk/support.

The Theatres Reopening Fund is administered by the Theatres Trust with the aim of supporting theatres with reopening following several months of closure. Helping cover costs such as building improvements and purchasing equipment that will support the theatre to be able to open viably and safely.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan comments, ‘While not all theatres are able to open right now, Theatres Trust is pleased to be able to help more theatres to prepare for a time when they can welcome audiences back into their buildings, safe in the knowledge they are providing Covid-safe spaces for people to enjoy the live entertainment that has been so missed in 2020.’

For more information on how you can support WTM and the safety measures in place for reopening visit www.wtm.uk.