BROMSGROVE’S Artrix is set for a surprise and imminent return after a deal was struck between the venue and The Core Theatre in Solihull which has been forced to close its main auditorium following the discovery of RAAC concrete there.
Plans were being put in place to bring Artrix back and – in the latest update in July – an appeal was made for volunteers to come forward to help play a part in running the arts centre.
But it was feared that could take some time to achieve, meaning the centre would have had to stay closed as an arts venue, as it had done since shutting during the Covid pandemic.
The arts centre at the time was facing financial difficulty and the previous trust went into administration. It came just weeks before the Government offered financial help to theatres and other arts venues, which included the option of furloughing staff.
During the pandemic, Artrix was converted to a Covid vaccination centre for the NHS.
Then, weeks ago, bosses at The Core in Solihull were forced to close their auditorium following the discovery of the troublesome concrete.
With several of its scheduled auditorium shows potentially in jeopardy, talks opened between The Core and The Artrix Holding Trust in a bid to move some of the performances to the Bromsgrove venue.
Work already under way
This week, the Standard was contacted by people who had seen workers going in and out of the Artrix building and had also seen a notice of licensing application displayed in the venue’s windows. The application from Bromsgrove Community Arts requests the ‘sale of alcohol for musical and theatrical performances’.
The Standard has now, from The Artrix Holding Trust, had the news the people of Bromsgrove and many from further afield have been waiting for – the venue is set to reopen within weeks to stage live performances for The Core.
The chairman of the Artrix Holding Trust, Anita Dale, said: “We can confirm that, after negotiations, Solihull Council will be using Artrix as a venue for a number of forthcoming performances.
“The finer details around the arrangements are still being finalised.”
A spokesperson for Solihull Council, which runs The Core, told us: “We are delighted to announce that we have been able to secure Artrix arts centre in Bromsgrove for a number of forthcoming performances, including this year’s pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, opening on December 15.”
It is not yet known how long Artrix will be needed by The Core but, among the debate about the School Drive venue’s future, has been how long it would take to get it back ready to be used for the arts again.
This development – and the staging of music and theatrical performances – will show Artrix can again be used for its intended purpose.
The Core is currently sorting out the tickets for the pantomime with those who have already bought them to see if they want to attend or cancel.
General sale of tickets will begin when that is resolved.
Visit thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk for the latest updates on that.
Appeal for volunteers
Bromsgrove Community Arts which will be supporting the shows The Core is transferring to Artrix, including providing volunteer front-of-house and bar staff.
For more on how to get involved and more on the BCA click here.
