Final negotiations underway with new ArtsHouse operator
A preferred new operator of Stratford ArtsHouse has been selected by the Town Trust, the Herald has learnt today, Thursday.
Four potential operators submitted bids to run the venue and the Town Trust has now identified its favoured proposal, with whom it has started commercial negotiations.
The news is timely as the current operator, the Stratford ArtsHouse Trust, is set to vacate the venue tomorrow, Friday.
Despite the pace of developments, it is thought likely that the ArtsHouse will remain closed for a little while until the new operator is put in place.
Justin Williams, chief executive of the Stratford Town Trust, said: "The Stratford Town Trust is pleased to announce that it is now entering into final negotiations with a new provider to take over operations of the Arts House as a community venue. The preferred provider has significant community and artistic credentials along with experience of the venue.
"The Town Trust received four viable proposals from various organisations and was impressed with the depth, quality and experience shown. No proposals from a financially self-supporting operator were received.
"The Town Trust, in showing its on-going commitment to enriching community life through supporting the Arts House venue, would like to emphasise that everybody in the town needs to help support the new operator once negotiations are complete.
"Without this on-going and enthusiastic support from the people of Stratford this venue will not be financially sustainable.
"Over the last four years The Town Trust has provided in excess of £1M to the Arts House Trust, and following the end of the funding contract, continued to further support the Arts House Trust deliver key community events.
"As part of this transition the Town Trust was seeking a more financially and community sustainable venue operator. We’d like to thank everybody engaged in the process and look forward to seeing strong community support in the future for the new venue operator."
