Newcastle theatre launches warm space fundraiser

An independent theatre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has launched a Crowdfunder appeal to cover costs associated with becoming a warm space for people in the city.

Alphabetti Theatre had been open since mid-October from 11am to 11pm, Tuesday to Saturday, but is currently closed for essential maintenance. It plans to reopen as a warm space on 31 January.

The theatre's fundraising campaign has an overall target of £15,000. A portion of the money will be spent on the theatre's utilities bill, which has increased by 248%.

A statement on Crowdfunder said: "We are providing a warm, welcoming space where there isn’t pressure to spend money. A much-needed space in a cold city like ours but also an enjoyable space – a social and community driven space with art and creativity at its core.

"We continue to offer high quality socioeconomically accessible art for all. And we’ll continue to help artists survive financially, advocating to use creativity to tell the stories that need to be heard in interesting and entertaining ways."

The fundraising campaign has been offered match funding from the Co-op Warm Spaces Funding Boost, designed to support organisations supporting their local communities through rising costs this winter.