New name announced…
His Royal Highness, The EARL OF WESSEX visits Greenock to announce name of new theatre and arts centre
24th November 2010:
The Earl of Wessex attended a fundraising function in aid of Inverclyde’s new Arts Centre today at Greenock’s Customhouse. His Royal Highness is the Patron of the new facility and is visiting the site as construction of the new building gets underway this week.
HRH met with members of the local community and in his capacity as Patron, announced that the new arts centre, which is to replace Greenock Arts Guild, will be known as The Beacon Arts Centre. HRH unveiled a commemorative artwork commissioned for the occasion from glass artist Alec Galloway. It will be placed in the new building for the opening in 2012.
The new name is has a strong association with the location of the new theatre since the Georgian lamp which sits in front of the Customhouse, was originally known as The Beacon and as such, was a guiding light for ships mooring at the quayside by which the arts centre will be built.
HRH, who became patron of Greenock Arts Guild last year, has been actively involved in theatre since he attended school and university. In the late 1980’s he worked for two theatrical production companies, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company, where he was involved in projects such as The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express and Cats. He brings with him a great passion for the arts and a wonderful understanding of the positive benefits that theatre can bring to a community like Inverclyde.
Today’s fundraising function will focus the spotlight on the regeneration of Greenock’s historic waterfront and the imminent arrival of Inverclyde’s new state of the art theatre and studio. The new facility will build on the impressive track record of Greenock Arts Guild which has been successfully delivering high quality arts in Inverclyde for 60 years.
The new building will house a 500 seat main auditorium together with a 130 seat studio theatre, 3 large rehearsal rooms and a riverside café / bar with outstanding views over the Clyde. The total project cost is £9.3million
The Arts Centre demonstrates what can be achieved when you mix a historic location with a deep sense of need in an area with historically high levels of deprivation.
Greenock Arts Guild Chairman, Elliott McKelvie welcomed His Royal Highness, saying:
“We are delighted to welcome our patron, His Royal Highness, the Earl of Wessex to Inverclyde to announce the name of our new arts centre. On completion, The Beacon will be one of the finest arts complexes of its size, anywhere in the UK. It will bring quality live theatre and music to audiences from all over the west of Scotland and will also be a vibrant performing space for our community arts groups who have always been such an important part of the cultural scene in Inverclyde.
Provost Michael McCormick said:
“We are very pleased to be able welcome His Royal Highness to Inverclyde and I am sure he has been impressed with the scope and scale of our regeneration plans and to see the start of work on the new arts centre. It is a key part of our vision to transform the area and to improve the quality of life of our communities.”
Convener of Regeneration Councillor Jim Clocherty added:
“Today marks an important milestone for the transformation of the waterfront in Greenock. The new arts centre will not just be a centre for artistic excellence in Inverclyde and beyond but it will become an important landmark in its own right. Sitting opposite the iconic Custom House which represents the area’s proud and prosperous history, the new building will embody the thriving and exciting future we are building here.”
Bill Nicol, Chief Executive, Riverside Inverclyde, URC said:
“I am delighted that His Royal Highness has come to Inverclyde waterfront today to unveil the name for the new arts centre and to lend his support to the continuing fundraising efforts. I am sure that he will be impressed by the new building and the scale, quality and ambition behind our wider regeneration plans to make Inverclyde a vibrant place in which to work and play”.
