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Bosses pledge funding to cash-strapped South Hill Park

By Jennie Slevin
February 19, 2013

South Hill Park will be able to continue to provide top entertainment after the council agreed to give more than £400,000 to the centre.

Councillors approved the motion to award South Hill Park Arts Trust Ltd an annual grant of £419,140, plus nearly £10,000 to cover inflation, during an executive meeting at Bracknell Forest Council yesterday.

Alan Nash, the council’s treasurer, advised executive members the annual grant had been included in the budget proposals for 2013/14, which are still pending full council approval.

South Hill Park bosses "shocked" by funding cuts

Councillors were also told a reduction in the amount of money awarded to South Hill Park in Ringmead would limit the entertainment the centre offers. Ron McAllister, chief executive of South Hill Park, said: “It’s our 40th anniversary year and so it was 40 years ago that the council made the decision that we needed a cultural outlet in Bracknell. It’s only the council’s continuing support that makes South Hill Park what it is today.”

The grant was agreed on the basis that a partnership is formed between the borough council and South Hill Park.

The council and the arts trust have agreed on a number of points, including South Hill Park’s programme of future plans, which cannot be altered without the council’s consent.

Cllr Dale Birch, executive for health, housing and adult social care, said: “South Hill Park needs to get more successful in cutting costs and finding alternative sources of funding. Even if that means providing more entertainment and less art.”

The partnership document was signed by Cllr Iain McCracken and Geoffrey Taylor, chairman at South Hill Park Trust Ltd.

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Most recent user comments 3 of 3

One reason that South Hill Park needs a bailout is that it does deliver what customers want. I for one have not been there for at least 20yrs nothing appeals now. Plus it’s expensive. I agree it’s not a viable business, why should the ratepayer effectively sub the cost of tickets to those that do use it?

R Smith
19/02/2013 at 14:39

AGAIN!?!?! Why do we keep ploughing money into this place? Its management don't have a clue what they're doing, and definitely don't deserve any kind of salary - which let's face it is where most, if not all of this money will go! If a Business can't survive without bail outs then it is not a Business worth saving!

Bruce Wayne
19/02/2013 at 13:41

One of the few real attractions Bracknell has to offer but while it brings people to the Arts Centre I wonder if it could not do more to spread the gilt. Folk come in, watch a show, and go away without ever seeing Bracknell. OK, I think I just killed any argument I was going to make!