Exciting plans for the new venue in Bury St Edmunds, giving an idea about what it will offer to the public and extra boost it will bring for the local economy, will be discussed at St Edmundsbury's Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 25 March.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, Chairman of the Venue Working Party, which yesterday considered the business plan before recommending it to Cabinet said:
“The venue is the most exciting and innovative building in Bury St Edmunds for centuries right at the heart of Charter Square. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities in a setting which is unique in this region. People are already asking about it and excitement is building as they see it taking shape. I'm sure people will be amazed when they get a glimpse of the stunning architecture and begin to see just how important this will be as a cultural, entertainment and business venue.
"There is currently terrific buzz with thousands of visitors to the town and when the new venue opens next spring it will add even more to this wonderful atmosphere. Cinema-goers and shoppers are already spending their money locally instead of elsewhere following recent investment in Bury St Edmunds. The programme and flexibility of this venue means it will have something to appeal to people of all ages and interests and it will also help to bring the town alive in the evenings as well as daytimes."
The Cabinet will consider an outline business plan for operating the new venue, Athenaeum and elements of the Bury St Edmunds Festival. The extra cost of running the venue over and above the current costs of running the Athenaeum, Corn Exchange and part of the Festival, will be around £176,000 by year three (by which time the initial set-up costs will have been covered). This is below the financial estimates put into St Edmundsbury's financial plan.
Cllr Mildmay-White added:
"We know that for every £1 we spend on the festival around £5 comes in to the local economy, so we are anticipating a similar boost when the venue is up and running."
The architecturally-stunning new public building in Bury St Edmunds will provide a meeting place and conference centre as well as an entertainment venue. Its creatively-designed flexibility means it will be available for small private bookings but will also have a series of events programmed throughout the year to attract a wide range of audiences from across the region.
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Issued by sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757033 Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
