Planning For Recovery – After months of enforced closure, Blackpool Grand Theatre calls on the local community for help. While other businesses slowly reopen, it will be some time before Blackpool’s Grand can operate as it once did. We are asking local supporters to #PlayYourPart in supporting the Grand come through this emergency.

With 91% of the theatre’s income coming from ticket sales, every day is vital to its survival for the town. With a skeleton staff, the theatre is working through hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of refunds, credits, and limited transfers to new dates. The highly anticipated summer show this August, Dirty Dancing the Musical, has had to be postponed until summer 2021.

Anthony Stone, Blackpool Grand Theatre Chair said; ‘with the closure of hundreds of theatres across the UK, including The Grand, the arts and entertainment industry, along with many, many other businesses across the country, faces an uncertain future. At this time, I believe, it is important to protect the theatre and its workforce by taking every opportunity to slow down the devastating financial impact of closure, so we can be in as good a shape as possible when we come to re-open.

“Arts Council England and Blackpool Council continue to support the theatre and we hope for news soon on further funding support, for which we thank them sincerely.  However, The Grand earns 91% of its income through ticket sales which, as you can imagine, are now depleting our reserves.  If you can, and would like to, donate to help the theatre survive, we would be extraordinarily grateful.”

Support Blackpool Grand Theatre.

The venue is asking locals to help in planning for recovery, you can support the theatre in various ways;

1. Donate at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/recoveryfund
2. Purchase an 1894 Club membership
3. Purchase tickets for our Autumn Winter 20/21 season
4. Use Amazon Smile, or Name A Seat

Planning For The Future

Planning for the future, Ruth Eastwood, Grand Theatre Chief Executive said ‘Firstly, I want to thank the thousands of customers for their patience and understanding at this challenging time. Our small team (just five of us) has been moving, refunding, and crediting customers over the past few weeks, as quickly as humanly possible. That is no mean-feat, I can tell you.

‘At the same time, I’ve been moving many of the shows we had planned for Spring/Summer into Autumn/Winter 20/21. The programme is packed with a wide selection from music and drama, to comedy and dance.

‘I’m delighted to have only had to cancel a few shows.  Most have moved to new dates, so you can still enjoy much of the great line up planned for earlier in the year.  I’m very much looking forward to welcoming you all back from September.’

As a charity, your support is crucial to this iconic heritage theatre’s survival. We are asking our locals to #PlayYourPart because the impact of COVID-19 is not just now but is predicted to last up to 2 years.

The venue is doing all it can planning for recovery and to support their artists, staff, volunteers, partners and community at this unprecedented time.  The Grand looks forward to re-opening the doors and welcoming you back in the very near future.

So, please #PlayYourPart! Donate at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/recoveryfund

To discover What’s Coming in the upcoming months at Blackpool Grand Theatre view it here.

…//Ends

Editors

Blackpool Grand Theatre creates www.AtHomeWithYou.co.uk – Along with online yoga classes, workshops, tutorials and more, the Blackpool Grand Theatre’s new YouTube Channel for lockdown has been continuously updated with the latest information with an overarching aim to Connect, Comfort and Uplift. This includes historical articles on the country’s favorite shows, guides on the local area and details of how people can help and support a treasured and vital part of Blackpool’s Arts community.

About Blackpool Grand Theatre

Blackpool Grand Theatre is the oldest and best-known theatre in Blackpool. Since 2006, the theatre has also been known as the National Theatre of Variety. The Grand Theatre hosts a wide variety of National and International theatrical shows, from comedies, dramas, ballet and dance.

Notes to Editors 

For more information please contact:

Holly Barry – Digital PR Strategist – Holly@theevergreenagency.co.uk

Andrew Howard – Marketing Manager – andrewh@blackpoolgrand.co.uk