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28 October 2014

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You are in: Berkshire > Entertainment > Local bands > Bulletin Board > Windsor Arts Centre closed

Windsor Arts Centre

Windsor Arts Centre closed

Windsor Arts Centre is to close with immediate effect and staff have been told to go home following news of a financial crisis. The future of the centre, a crucial hub of local arts and music events, is uncertain says general manager Graham Steel.

Shock news on Friday evening (14 December) that Windsor Arts Centre in St Leonards Road is having to close tonight with immediate effect.

Staff were told at a meeting today that the management company that runs the arts centre is facing financial difficulty.

The centre, which is a registered charity, is a hive of arts activity and had a host of events planned until January 2008, including their Christmas party on Sunday 23 December. All these will now have to be cancelled unless another financial backer is found.

General manager Graham Steel spoke to 大象传媒 Radio Berkshire's Phil Kennedy:

"I understand that it's going into administration so there's obviously been some financial problems.

"It's closed at the end of play today. We're all very shocked, it wasn't something that we were expecting.

"There's about 12 staff that work here and up to 80 volunteers. It was only today that we were informed about it. They're deeply shocked and obviously it's bad news the week before Christmas."

What impact will it have on the arts scene in Windsor?

"I think that there's going to be an lot of people out there who will be deeply shocked by it. We're frantically trying to contact as many people as possible because I know we have huge support and a lot of people cherish the arts centre in Windsor."

Is there any hope that the centre will re-open?

"I hope so. At the moment the staff are dealing with the shock of the news, but there are enough people out there who are keen to have an arts centre - so fingers crossed."

last updated: 14/12/2007 at 17:50
created: 14/12/2007

Have Your Say

Let us know your reaction to the news of WAC closing:

The 大象传媒 reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Josh Merritt
This is such a great venue, it cannot close. I urge everyone who loves it as much as I and all these people here do to send messages of support to the WAC and Graham through either of these websites - www.windsorartscentre.org, www.savewindsorartscentre.org

perc
sorry to here of your closure. graham you and your team have worked hard over the years ive had some great times with live music like the jonny cramner band the boreing husbands and the rytham booze nights the rock around the clock .and ron parr+clifford doing a juggling act ron on his unicycle yor art gallery. u tried it all and done your best but keep fighting

Bob Hawxwell
It's shameful , we have lost a unique facility. Subsidised arts are an essential element of any community and it is high time they were properly supported. Over the years I have seen countless young people inspired and enabled by this centre. Very, very sad indeed.

Millie
I am totally shocked to hear WAC has closed. Come on Windsor lets do some fundraising to save it. Any ideas?

Alex Blanchard
The arts centre is part of the fabric of Windsor and it truly cherished. It needs to be saved.

Dave Arcari
Sad news - another great venue closed following a similar scenario at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen the week before.Hopefully there will be enough local interest to reverse the closure or work together to create an alternative...Dave Arcari (Glasgow)

Marc Green
This is a unique facility catering for a wide community in Windsor. This Arts Centre must be saved. Windsor will be much the poorer without it. Lets not get downbeat but instead rally together to save it.

Margery Thorogood
Sent message last night. Is there a campaign underway? Do you need help?

Tina Wiseman
As a former member and volunteer at the Windsor Arts Centre, I would like to express my shock at the sudden closure of such an important and popular venue. Hundreds of people have been let down, including former staff, just before Xmas. Why was there so little warning?!

tessa harris
So sorry to hear about this. St Leonard's Road has such a buzz about it now, with AWT's restaurant, the deli etc. It's a great little Boho quarter.Let's hope it's soon up and running again.

Patricia Harrison
This is extremely sad news. This has been a wonderful Arts Centre not just for the local community. We have travelled from Beds on a regular basis to the Centre and when we have visitors from the north of England they join us. It is a great shame to lose a Centre that is so unique.

Norma Herdson
Many people in Maidenhead would like to support the arts in Windsor. How can we help? I am Chair of Maidenhead Arts Council, a voluntary support group for the arts in Maidenhead and District with approx 40 member groups covering music, drama and the visual arts. I would like to contact Graham Steel

Dave Middleton
If this is true that it is the Council who have caused this disaster by withdrawing grant, then I am incandescent with rage at yet more evidence of those barbarian politicians who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. I do hope we can still save WAC.

Ian Brown
Can we not apply to the national lottery to save one of the few genuine cultural venues for music, art, film etc in the area..? It would be a huge blow to Windsor to lose the tremendous service that Graham and his team have provided the town and the whole region. Please say no-one is trying to turn this building into yet more offices or flats !!!

Sean
That's terrible news - home to Tommy Emmanuel's Tommyfest every year, including this March! Hopefully all will be back on track again.

Pete Duys
Okay so everyone wants the Arts Centre but does everybody go? Surely if there were lots of patrons then it would not be in financial difficulty? Can someone from the WAC advise us about what we can do next to help it survive?

Jeffrey Steinhardt
This is one of the best community arts centres I've known, anywhere, as an audience member and a performer. Replacing the programming and sense of community engendered by WAC will be extremely difficult, and a great loss to us all in the region. Hoping for something to be sorted out, and great sympathy to staff and volunteers who have contributed so much these years.

Tim Clare
A sad time and a lost institution that has been so diverse in its projects and performances.I wish you and the WAC staff all the best for the future. This is a poor christmas present for Windsor!

Samantha Hill
I am extremely upset and disappointed as I had my daughters sixth birthday booked at the Arts Centre on Saturday. She is absoloutley devastated and I am 拢70 out of pocket and can't afford to book another party anywhere else.tengu@hotmail.co.uk

Claire McAuley
I think this is an absolute tragedy. Not only does the WAC provide superb entertainment in the form of a variety of very notable English and international performers, it is a creative hub for amateur and local talent, and has provided a nuturing environment in which some astounding artist have emerged. If it weren't for their encouragement and opportunities, I doubt I would be performing today. I hope everyone who feels a connection to this wonderful venue does everything possible to ensure that it reopens.

Pauline Bamforth
One of the few places the whole family could go to and the best way to encourage youngsters into the arts. Please re-open it!

Sarah
It's a terrible shame, the place offered so much to so many, nothing comes close to it. I only hope that there's someone out there that is able to offer a much needed lifeline. My thoughts are in particular with the staff at this time of uncertainty.

Susie Simkins
Deeply saddened that you are closed especially as we had tickets for Tankus the Henge on Saturday night and had bought them to take some Australian visitors. Really hope the centre will be up and running again soon. However, I live in Fulmer and although we are only 5 miles away hardly anyone in our village knows of your existence - more promotion needed!

Sharon Selmes
The area NEEDS a facility like this. I have been a regular at the Arts Centre from the time I took my eldest son to toddler group, through Art exhibitions to going to many of the music events. I felt comfortable going as a single woman and found the staff and volonteers so friendly and so hard working to provide a huge variety of events for us, and a place for young musicians to first perform in public, drama groups, links with local schools, and so much more. The Windsor Art Scene will suffer if ths closure is permanent.

Ronnie Johnson
What a sad day! Nowhere for people to hear alternative music and other arts. An arts centre is a must for all communities in this age of mediocrity. A country full of stealth tax contributing nothing to society.

Tina Wiseman
For further news, please go to //www.savewindsorartscentre.org

RICHARD DONALDSON
I am absolutely shocked at the news particularly as a long time conservative voter this has arisen as a result of the conservative run council withdrawning the annual grant support.I am sure the centre could be made viable again if the right marketing effort is put in place as I have frequently seen very good events with empty auditoriums.

Dawson
Deeply shocked and saddend by the closure.

Penny Jayne Black
All I want for Christmas is the The Windsor Arts Centre to be up and running again! has been a wonderful meeting place for like minded souls.A place of inspiration.

Clare Johnson
terribly sad this is the only place in the area like this for all ages young and old with a fantastic wide range of activities and a mixture of all sorts here! keeping people off the streets and talented people something to hope for I do hope it re opens quickely as it will be sorley missed and nothing around windsor beats the great atsmosphere and buzz around the place

Carl
It's a shame to see it go the way of many facilities of this type. It amazes me how such a popular and essential part of the community and music scene could be allowed to end up like this.I guess at the end of the day, when you're doing something that isn't mainstream, it's hard to keep things afloat, but you would've thought that the local authority would've stepped in and tried to help. I guess everyone is too bothered about profit to do that though.Maybe someone will buy it out and run it as a private company, who knows.

Geoff Bolam
Its been my home from home, source of inspiration and font of musical inspiration and collaboration for the past 6 years. Two of the bands I play in were formed with musicians I met at the WAC and I've played and seen many great gigs there.The Get WAC Back campaign starts here!

Dave Laing
Sorry to hear this - hope it can be saved - its a boon to the arts in Berkshire not just Windsor.

M Hodges
It's a mega-shame that such a great hub for local community arts here in Windsor and the surrounding area is closing - all those cancelled school events, free music platform nights, comedy, disabled theatre groups, headlining acts, support for new & emerging talent ... and it is after all Windsor's only cinema!!

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