New plans for improvements to the Foyer and Bar

Today we are launching a significant fundraising campaign to raise £40,000 for some major work to the Front of House areas and toilet facilities at the Swan Theatre.

Frequent visitors to the theatre will be well aware of the problems of access to the bar – impossible for wheelchair users, cramped female toilets, and a gents that is up a steep flight of stairs. In the survey of our audience that we carried out a couple of years ago, the problem with our toilets was the number one issue.

Over the past year we have been developing plans to undertake some major re-working of this area – hopefully you may have seen them on display. If not, the plans are available on our website at  Swan Theatre Plans along with a fundraising video – please take a look. The plans create completely new female, male and accessible toilets in what is currently the bar area, whilst opening up the foyer by removing most of the walls and stairs in this area. A new bar will be located in the foyer.

We have tendered for this work, and it will cost between £130,000 and £140,000 – the largest single investment in the Swan Theatre’s history. The investment will transform the experience for our theatre going patrons and ensure the theatre remains fit for purpose for the next 50 years.

The Swan is financially very successful, and we already have a majority of the money we need to do this work; however we need to raise the last 30%. This is where we need your support! There are four ways we would like you to consider helping us:

• Crowdfunding

We have launched a crowdfunding campaign at:

https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/swan-theatre-refurbishment-project

If you feel able to give a donation of any amount then please go to that page and donate or scan the QR Code with your phone.

If you are a UK taxpayer please tick the Gift Aid option to enable us to increase your donation by 25% by claiming this from the HMRC. If you can donate a larger amount we can offer you some exclusive benefits – so cross over to the Crowdfunding page to take a look! Finally, please spread the word amongst friends and family – all donations are welcome!

• Swan 200 Club

If you feel you would like to give a regular amount – the best way to do this is to join the Swan 200 Club, which also gives you the chance to win cash prizes! Tickets are £5 per month, and you can purchase as many as you like (up to the total ceiling of 200). The Club has already raised over £13,000 for the Swan. For full information including terms and conditions please send an email to swan200club@btinternet.com Existing members can, of course, purchase additional tickets!

• Lending money to the Swan

When the Swan was originally purchased from the Bass brewery in the 1970’s it was done thanks to the generosity of Sid Gorringe who lent the Swan the money. In this spirit, and subject to approval at the AGM, we are asking if there are any members or patrons who would wish to lend the Swan some money. The loan would be formalised through a Promissory Note, paid back over an agreed period of time, on agreed terms. If you are interested in this, please contact me at mark.whitestop@gmail.com for further details.

• Individually organised fundraising events

We would welcome donations raised by events organised by our members or patrons. We are happy to support in terms of advertising them through Cue Lines or on our website if this is appropriate. If it is an event that requires a venue then we might be able to provide the theatre! However, if we are honest, we want YOU to organise it. Let us know what you are planning, and we will support where we can.

This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of this wonderful theatre. 2026 is our Golden Jubilee – 50 years of astonishingly high-quality amateur drama – performed professionally! We want this work complete so 2026 is a celebration in refurbished facilities – so the pressure is on! However, I am confident with the help and support of all the amazing people who support us day in and day out we will raise the £40,000 needed to take the next step in the evolution of the theatre.

Many, many thanks for your continued support.

Mark Payne

Chair, Swan Theatre Company