THE TORCH THEATRE in Milford Haven will remain closed until at least the end of October, it has been confirmed.
Ben Lloyd, Executive Director, on behalf of the Torch Theatre made the announcement in a press statement this week, made on behalf of the venue’s Senior Management Team.
Amongst ‘several reasons’ as to why the theatre will remain closed for so long was a consultation with audiences, which suggests that people are not yet ready to return to venues.
The statement reads: “Consultation with audiences suggests that there is no appetite to return to our auditoriums whilst there is so much uncertainty over the reproduction rate of Covid-19.
To open any part of our operation without an audience is not economically viable and would quickly lead to redundancies.
“Film distributors are unable to confirm release dates and producers of live shows are cancelling and rescheduling tours to ensure that their businesses remain viable. As such we are unable to deliver a theatre programme.
Ben Lloyd added: “We take our civic responsibilities seriously and do not believe that it would serve our audiences, staff, volunteers or artists well to rush in to opening before we can reassure them that the Torch is a safe place to return to.”
He further stated: “The need to undertake essential maintenance and remedial works on the fly tower renders an immediate opening impractical – with these factors in mind, we have made some difficult decisions on how we will operate from November 1, 2020”
“The past months in lockdown, although incredibly demanding for all involved, have given us an opportunity to plan, to seek emergency support through grants and funding, and to give back to our community. As a not-for-profit registered charity, we have been fighting to survive through this difficult period. We have been successful in applications to the BFI, Film Hub Wales and the National Lottery Resilience Fund, the Arts Council Wales Stabilisation Fund, as well as being eligible for two Welsh Government Business Rates Grants.
“This crucial support has given us the security to plan essential maintenance, maintain audience and community engagement, and develop new modes of working in view of Covid-19, without drawing on our precious extremely limited reserves. Nevertheless, whilst this support has allowed us to take the vital first steps toward recovery, it does not provide the solutions to the longer-term challenge of surviving the Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking of the damage suffered to the building during the winter, Mr Lloyd said: “We have recently received the hugely significant news that funding has been secured to repair our fly tower which was damaged in the February storms. This essential support will come from both Pembrokeshire County Council’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund and Arts Council Wales who will each cover a proportion of the costs of repairs following the settlement of our insurance claim, and we thank them for their backing at this crucial moment. We hope to undertake these remedial works through August and into September this year, weather depending.”
