Long-term lease confirmed for arts centre

Eleanor LawsonWest Midlands
News imageCity of Wolverhampton Council A man and two women stand in a line in a hall and smile at the camera, each of them doing a thumbs up.City of Wolverhampton Council
The agreement would allow major repairs to be carried out to the building, the council said

A long-term lease has been confirmed for an arts hub in Wolverhampton, which the council says will give the local cultural community a "major boost".

The community asset transfer of the building in Whitmore Reans to Wolverhampton Arts Centre (WAC) will help them get extra funding and allow long-term plans to improve and expand the centre's facilities, a spokesperson said.

The move comes after the council secured £1.5m for repairs and restoration work at the Dunkley Street facility, including installing a new heating system.

The transfer also paves the way for plans to restore the historical front entrance, they added.

Other changes planned include improved backstage facilities, a larger stage and an increased audience capacity while roof repairs will also be carried out to stop leaks.

Trevelyan Wright, chief executive of WAC, said: "Now the hard work really begins to secure the funds that will ensure Wolverhampton's much-loved arts centre is fit for the next 30 years and able to give our community the creative space it deserves."

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