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Theatre fundraising £10k to repair leaking roof

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of England
News imageThe Mowlem Theatre Mowlem Theatre in Swanage - it is a large square blocked building with a flat roof on the beachfront with golden sand seen surrounding its side and front.The Mowlem Theatre
The theatre and cinema in Swanage said temporary fixes to its flat roof were no longer enough to keep the rain out

A beachfront theatre and cinema is hoping to raise £10,000 to put towards repairs to its leaking flat roof.

After a number of temporary fixes, the roof at the Mowlem Theatre on Shore Road in Swanage, Dorset, needs urgent repairs to keep the rain out.

Kate McGregor, executive director of the theatre, said: "We are concerned that we could get a bigger crack in the roof and it collapses which would mean we would have to shut and have a massive repair bill closer to £100k."

Opened in 1967, the theatre hopes to raise the money before mid-November to get a waterproof layer put onto the existing flat roof.

News imageThe Mowlem Theatre Rows of red theatre seats in the closed position set out in tiers over two levels. Its walls are painted purple.The Mowlem Theatre
The theatre said the roof on the building opened in 1967, has been leaking for a while and is getting worse

Ms McGregor said: "We've had leaks before but we can't really go any further without fixing this problem.

"We really just want to make sure that it is safe and protected. As long as we catch this in time we can get on the roof and fix it."

Since the theatre started the appeal on Friday just over half the target has been raised.

"We are very overwhelmed and grateful," Ms McGregor said.

The fundraising appeal runs until 13 November at 15:05 BST.

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