BUDGET: £30,000 cash rise for Eastgate theatre
Eastgate Theatre’s annual grant from the Council has gone up from £60,000 to £90,000.
The Peebles theatre opened in 2003 and has become a hub for the touring performing arts in the Scottish Borders.
It has attracted headline drama, dance, music and comedy acts to the region – from former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and comedian Frankie Boyle to the National Theatre of Scotland and the Scottish tenors, Caledon.
The theatre is also home to a host of local groups.
In 2005, the independent organisation running Eastgate Theatre faced a serious financial crisis.
Scottish Enterprise Borders and the Council put together a rescue package with contributions from the Council and Scottish Arts Council matching money raised locally.
The Eastgate was given a fresh start, working to a new business plan. A new board was convened to take the theatre forward, by businessmen David Coltman (Chairman) and Jacob Van Houdt (Vice-Chairman). Almost three years on, the theatre is now on a proper financial footing and has achieved all of its commercial and attendance targets.
David Coltman said: “The board, employees and volunteers are thrilled with the vote of confidence by the Council.
“Small regional theatres face a continuous challenge to balance their books, and this increased grant from the Council goes a long way towards helping the Eastgate to achieve that happy state.”