Council agrees ‘last resort’ match funding to protect urgent £6m Wolverhampton Arts Centre improvements

A council has agreed to cover more than £500,000 to protect funding for a huge £6m makeover of a city arts centre.

City of Wolverhampton Council has stepped in to fund the final £508,028 needed to carry out huge repairs and improvements to Wolverhampton Arts Centre in Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton.

The ‘last resort’ funding comes after Wolverhampton Arts Centre, formerly Newhampton Arts Centre, was unable to secure match funding from other sources for the project.

City of Wolverhampton Council said the ‘capped commitment’ of up to £508,028 would provide the “necessary assurance” to protect the multi-million-pound Arts Council England funding.

The urgent major repairs, totalling £6m from government, council and charity funding, to the arts centre include fixes to the Victorian’s building’s “failing” and leaking roof as well and restoring its historic entrance to improve accessibility.

The work would also include improvements to the art centre’s reception, cafe and bar.

The charity’s long-term ambitions include renovating the theatre with improved backstage facilities, a larger stage and more increased capacity.

The decision notice said: “The recommended option provides the best available means of protecting the confirmed Arts Council England investment and enabling urgent works to proceed.

“It supports the future viability of Wolverhampton Arts Centre, safeguards a locally important cultural and community asset and reduces the longer-term risk that an unrepaired building could return to council responsibility.

“A capped, conditional underwriting arrangement provides stronger control than an open-ended commitment and, through an income-linked repayment mechanism, offers the council the opportunity to recover some or all of its contribution if Wolverhampton Arts Centre’s future financial performance permits.”

More than 50,000 people attend Wolverhampton Arts Centre each year and it is home to 30 creative and community organisations with a growing waiting list.

Earlier this year, the centre was among 13 libraries, museums and theatres across the West Midlands announced as sharing nearly £20m in government funding – some of which will be used to carry out the urgent repairs.

The ownership of the wider arts centre site was previously divided between the City of Wolverhampton Council and City of Wolverhampton College.

Previous government funding was used by the council to buy the college’s share of the site and carry out essential renovation and restoration work including a new heating system, asbestos removal and safety improvements.

A long-term lease was also agreed between City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Arts Centre to open doors to major funding bids.