The Stage

ACE bids to reclaim £1.6m from struggling Derby Playhouse

Published Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 16:35 by Lalayn Baluch

Arts Council England has made a bid to reclaim £1.6 million from Derby Playhouse, doubling the amount of cash the venue owes to its creditors.

The figure covers the additional funding that was given to the theatre by ACE in an attempt to pull it out of financial problems, but it later went into liquidation. It is now up to the Playhouse’s administrators Tenon Recovery to decide if the amount should be awarded.

An arts council spokesman said: “As a creditor we are required to complete a proof of debt form by Tenon, the administrators of Derby Playhouse Ltd. We have submitted the initial form and we’re in the process of supplying further details requested by Tenon.

“This form details grants made by the arts council to the Playhouse, which, of course, includes the stabilisation and recovery grant.”

It has also been reported that 256 other companies and individuals have lodged claims totalling £1,167,739.23.

The news will be a blow to the Playhouse’s board of trustees who have until the end of this week to raise £723,000 in private funds to save the theatre, following ACE’s decision not to renew its funding.

The arts council has announced that it intends to invest £2,874,595 for alternative theatre provision in Derby, which will be run by the city council in the short-term. Further details of the local authority’s plans are expected to be announced on February 15.