The Stage

Wilton’s Music Hall bids to be taken over by the National Trust

Published Tuesday 10 March 2009 at 15:55 by Nick Smurthwaite

Wilton’s Music Hall, celebrating its 150th anniversary this month, is bidding to be taken over by the National Trust later this year.

Having failed in its attempt to secure Heritage Lottery funding, the Grade II-listed building has turned to the trust to rescue it from further dilapidation.

Frances Mayhew, director of Wilton’s, estimates that the London venue needs at least £2.5 million to make it structurally sound.

“All the assessments of the building have been completed by the trust, and they will make their decision in July,” explained Mayhew. “If they decide against, we will launch another appeal and split the repair work up into different phases.”

Should the trust decide to acquire Wilton’s, they will take responsibility for the fabric of the building, leaving Mayhew and her staff to run it as a performance space and arts centre.

Wilton’s will be holding a special anniversary open day on Sunday, March 29, when anyone is invited to look around the capital’s oldest remaining music hall, and buy various items of memorabilia. There will also be performances by members of the British Music Hall Society throughout the day, and clips from films and pop videos featuring Wilton’s.