New Vic gets smaller than expected funding cut

Published: 13 March 2013
Reporter: Steve Orme

New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire Credit: Steve Orme

Stoke city council is to cut funding to Newcastle-under-Lyme's New Vic—but not by as much as was first feared.

The authority's grant to the theatre-in-the-round will reduce by £23,000 in the coming year to £45,000 as part of its programme to save £21million.

But the council has confirmed there will be no further reductions for the following two years. A proposal for the authority to cut its funding to the theatre completely has been withdrawn.

Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for culture, said, "We recognise the value of the New Vic to the city in terms of its economic impact and also the valuable work it does with local schools and communities.

"We also recognise the importance of the New Vic as a producing theatre with a national profile. We are fully committed to playing our role in supporting the theatre in the coming years."

The city council is one of three local authorities that support the New Vic along with Newcastle-under-Lyme borough council and Staffordshire county council.

The grant from the city council makes up 2% of the theatre's income.

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