17 May ESSEX County Council pledges £1million for Mercury Theatre expansion
BY Ryan Jennings
ESSEX County Council has pledged to invest £1million in Colchester’s Mercury Theatre.
The theatre has announced ambitious £8.8million plans which will see a sizeable expansion of the Balkerne Gate venue as well as a learning and participation centre being built.
The plans are due to be completed in 2020.
County Hall bosses say the pledge is in recognition of the “quality, scope and potential impact for Essex as a whole” of the theatre’s proposals.
The funding is, though, subject to an extra £2.8million being raised by the theatre itself to fill a funding gap.
David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We’re very pleased to be investing in this great organisation that does so much positive work for Colchester, not just in arts and culture but in outreach, community projects and in bringing investment to the borough.”
John Spence, Essex county councillor with responsibility for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, added: “The Mercury’s proposal is hugely impressive.
“The quality, scope and potential impact for Essex as a whole is clear.
“It has been interesting to understand the scale and reach of Mercury activity; this scheme will enable more development of unique skills, and our support sits alongside that we are giving for other aspects of the creative arts strategy in Colchester such as University of Essex, firstsite and the Creative Hub.”
Steve Mannix, Mercury Theatre Executive Director, said: “This is a major boost to our fundraising at a key moment in the campaign.
“This backing will help us to create great theatre in exciting new spaces used by the whole community, and boosts our ambitions to share facilities, skills and knowledge with arts organisations across the county.”
ore than 80,000 people.
