The Pump House was created by converting an old Victorian building into a theatre more than 50 years ago. And like many very old buildings this iconic facility has reached the point where it needs some major refurbishment work to secure its future for the community for the next 50 years.

Essential building improvements include a new roof, additional seats, bigger dressing rooms, new studio/rehearsal space and improved facilities for those with accessibility needs.

A few years ago we launched the Raise the Roof campaign which successfully raised £850,000 which we thought would be enough. But we revealed in June that a further £450,000 is urgently needed to meet the rising construction costs. Off the back of this recent campaign a further £50,000 has been raised but this means we are still £400,000 short of the amount needed.

So we have had to split the original plans into phases. Phase one will see the facilities behind the back wall of the theatre knocked down over the summer so that three prefabricated units can be installed to replace the backstage dressing rooms, toilet and workshop. This will create much improved facilities for performers and make the stage fully accessible to all as they will all now be on the same level.

Meanwhile, the fundraising for the rest of the project continues. Along with our efforts to secure funds, we ask for people’s ongoing support to help us fulfil our ambition to upgrade this much-loved arts space and secure its future for the community for the next 50 years.