A Skills Bank that will match theatres with experts willing to offer pro bono advice on preparing to reopen is being created by the Theatres Trust, and leading theatre consultants and suppliers to the industry are already signing up. The national public advisory body for theatres believes 136 small local theatre operators are at risk of closing in the next three months, and is also repurposing its small grants programme to help them cover the additional costs of reopening and make the necessary adaptations for increased hygiene and social distancing.
The Trust has appointed an additional adviser to help the venues with business planning, budgeting and cashflow, fundraising and building maintenance. Around half are run by small charities serving their local communities and have spent the lockdown supporting them, including delivering shopping and prescriptions, and making PPE.