The CryerArts Centre: is a popular and vibrant venue, restaurant and bar at the heart of the community...
... but it wasn't always that way.
Rescued from years of being mothballed (following council withdrawal and a failed attempt by a previous group) by four local businessmen in 2019 a great deal of money was spent putting the building into order to bring it back to life.
The first event was in November 2019 and as Christmas approached everything began to flourish and the future looked great.
However early in 2020, bang.! Covid hit and we were shut down.....
Reopening didn't happen until 2021 and we were back where we'd started (if not worse)
Since that time we have worked tirelessly and striven to re-build the business and, judging by the affection we now seem to generate from our visitors, we are on the right track.
We have listed over 650 shows and events since opening attracting roughly 38,000 people.
So, why are we looking to crowd fund..?
Our building, the old Carshalton Hall, was re-built in the late 1980's and is, frankly, a money pit. The energy crisis brought this into sharp focus as our costs soared and soared. We have three 35 year old boilers to heat the building and they are woefully inefficient. Despite having invested in as much double glazing as we could when we took on the building there are still many single glazed, metal framed windows and doors.
A council sponsored energy efficiency report was commissioned and the inspector confided with us that it was the worst building that the council owned.!
So the plan is:
Replace the aged boiler system splitting into two separate, super efficient systems to cater for the bar/restaurant and theatre separately. (est'd £40/45,000).
Double-glaze all remaining areas, replacing all draughty doors etc. (est'd £45,000).
Various other improvements around the building to further enhance the customer experience. (Est'd £30/35,000)
Given the economic circumstances and future hits expected on the hospitality sector we really don't ever expect to be able to generate enough money to cover even the smallest part of what we'd really like to do to safeguard the future of The CryerArts Centre.
If the building is owned by the Council why don't they do the necessary improvements..??
Well, local authorities are famously short of money and we'd be low on any priority list. And, they could argue, "you have a full repairing and insuring lease so it's up to you..!!" There is a slight possibility they be able to help to a certain extent with some match funding so we could maybe even look at solar energy solutions but that is a distant prospect.
The four Directors despite having invested heavily, both in terms of money and blood sweat and tears, have not taken a penny from the business since day one (except for wages where also employed by the company) and dearly wish to safeguard the future of this wonderful community hub.
Hence we are looking to raise c.£150,000 to bring the building into the 21st century, reducing our energy footprint and costs and becoming a leaner, greener business altogether with a more assured future and to add a bit of headroom to our depleted reserves and working capital
We absolutely love The CryerArts Centre and would hate to see all it has achieved being eroded for want of some well targeted capital investment.
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP...!
If 150 people donate £1000 or 1,500 people donated £100.00 we'd be there and could joyfully set about preserving this altogether brilliant community asset for decades to come.
We already plan to run 200+ shows, events and hires each year with a "something for everyone" approach and want to move forward with the confidence.
With your help, The CryerArts Centre can be "Future-proofed" and ready to grow in the years to come.