Under threat Cannock venue given a funding boost
An under threat Cannock theatre has been given a boost with a grant from an industry body.
The Prince of Wales Theatre is earmarked for closure at the end of April after Cannock Chase Council said they could no longer support it through its budget.
Theatres Trust, the national advisory and advocacy body for theatres, has announced the third round of grants to be awarded through its Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme, with the Church Street venue to receive £7k.
It is part of a share of £74, 836 being handed out to ten venues who are all on the organisation's Theatres at Risk Register 2025. Other venues to receive grants which are partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund include Morecambe Winter Gardens, Margate Theatre Royal and Derby Hippodrome.
The grant programme aims to help the restoration, reopening or revitalising process for Theatres at Risk through funding expert support with focuses on increasing organisational resilience, improving skills and engaging more people with community and heritage projects.
A spokesman said work funded in this round includes condition surveys, business planning, fundraising and audience development strategies, a viability study and a governance review.
Despite the death threat hanging over the theatre, residents packed a public meeting in February which was called by Cannock Chase MP Josh Newberry where he pledged support for the venue and the Museum of Cannock Chase, which is also under threat.
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust said: " All the theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities.
"We are thrilled to support ten of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that willlay the foundations for their revival. We look forward to supporting them through this journeyand seeing the progress they make."
