Cheltenham theatre gets HLF grant

The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham has received a grant of GBP 500,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

It will form part of the theatre's GBP 3 million project restoration fund.

Of this, GBP 2.8 million will pay for the total cost of the work, while the remaining GBP 200,000 will pay for a three-year education and community programme.

After the grant, the Everyman is now GBP 250,000 away from its target.

First opened in 1891, the theatre is in need of major work to the auditorium.

As Geoffrey Rowe, chief executive of the theatre told local paper Gloucestershire Echo: 'The grant brings us really close to fully funding a splendid restoration of the theatre. It is fantastic news.'

However, work cannot begin on the theatre until the final funds have been raised, so Mr Rowe is calling on locals to dig deep into their pockets.

He said that the Everyman is planned to reopen fully restored by October 1st 2011 in time for its 120th anniversary.