Charity status for Lichfield theatre
The future of a popular theatre in Staffordshire is looking brighter after it became a charitable trust.
The Lichfield Garrick will now be able to apply for extra funding and boost its reputation in the region. The city centre venue is now a Charitable Theatre Trust.
It has set up a board of 11 members made up of people from the arts, entertainment and business worlds and local councillors.
The new chairman of the board is leading local businessman James Leavesley.
Mr Leavesley, who runs around 10 national and international companies, said today that the board that will work to make sure the Lichfield Garrick attracts support and develops as one of the best theatres in the region.
While the theatre is owned by Lichfield District Council and two councillors have seats on the trust board, its staff are now employed solely by the Lichfield Garrick.
The agreement making the theatre an independent trust has now been signed.
