Despite recent challenges of the pandemic our organisation, Progress Theatre has been able to continue performing in a virtual capacity and the management team and trustees have been working tirelessly to keep things going at the venue ready for our return. We would like to optimise the opportunity of the theatre closure until the Autumn of 2021 to do a summer refurbishment of our current washrooms and simultaneously introduce an accessible toilet facility for all members and visitors, and extend our foyer. To prevent any further disruption to our future season programming this capital work must happen in 2021.
The preparation for the longer-term wash facilities improvement was initiated before the lockdown in 2020 but due to the pandemic there were delays in beginning the initial phase of a full building survey and options appraisal. Discussions have taken place with the Access Officer at Reading Borough Council to also identify important factors to consider when installing the new accessible toilet facilities and further improvements in the foyer.
Our Fundraising Objective: £50k
We need to raise a minimum of £50k in the next 6 to 12 months (April 2021 to March 2022), through a mix of individual giving, regular donations, Gift Aid, trusts and foundations and fundraising events with the help of the membership, fundraising volunteers, match funding from members’ employers, targeted at previous and current audience goers, supporters of Progress, members and the wider Reading population. This money will cover approx. half the costs of the capital development of the foyer and accessible toilets.