We want to turn the drab old 'coffee room' into a welcoming, comfortable and practical space, with all it needs for daytime and evenings.
by Ashburton Arts Centre in Newton Abbot, Devon, United Kingdom
Going beyond the initial target will enable us to improve other areas of the arts centre in urgent ways. These include:
- improvements to the main hall;
- improvements to the studio and kitchen upstairs;
- improvements to the sound insulation of the building.
When Ashburton Arts Centre opened in 2018, it hit the ground running, using the old Methodist Church building pretty much as it was, putting on live events in the old chapel, and classes and workshops in the Studio upstairs. These took off, and all happened with the minimum of work to improve the decor and practicality of the building, as it was all basically ok. However, as we went along, lots of things started to emerge which needed to be done to improve the facilities for all the the people who use the building, particularly the volunteers we depend on to operate, as well as visiting artists and audiences.
During the covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 we managed to raise funds and gather a team of professionals and volunteers, and did our first major redecoration in the Studio upstairs and the bar/lobby area downstairs. This was all really successful. Now we need to turn our attention to the Lounge and serving area which has huge potential to be a place where people can work and meet each other during the day, and become an extension of the bar area in the evenings for some events, as well as a green room for artists before and after their performances. The food and drink preparation area behind the bar also needs to be substantially upgraded to meet hygiene standards, and to be a more comfortable and functional place for everyone who uses it.
The funds we need to raise are for:
- replacing and extending the existing worktop and storage space;
- upgrading the sink and providing sufficient space and necessary facilities to clean glasses and crockery;
- installing new cupboards and shelving;
- installing a new ring main to provide mains sockets in all areas of the Lounge, so the maximum number of people can work;
- repainting and redecorating walls and woodwork;
- replacing the existing strip lighting in the Lounge, and improving the lighting in the bar area;
- replacing the old electric heaters with something more efficient;
- replacing the old lino and rather tired carpet tiles with new flooring which can be more easily cleaned and which is more attractive.