The Theatres Trust: Spend a Penny
Overview
Launched in August 2016 the Spend a Penny Scheme is supported by Susan and Simon Ruddick to improve the provision of Ladies’ loos in theatres £125,000 is available to improve facilities in up to 10 theatres UK-wide to bring direct relief to a few, while at the same time indirectly raising the profile of an issue that is of recurring concern to many.
The maximum level of grant that will be awarded is £15,000. No match funding is required
Who can apply
- Applicants have to own or manage theatres with titles or signed leases of more than 5 years on buildings in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Applicants also need to demonstrate that they run a regular theatre programme of professional, community and/or amateur work presenting no less than 30 performances a year.
- Applicants must have a bona fide UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure and be able to provide certified or audited accounts for at least two years.
Theatres are invited to apply for up to £15,000 each to improve toilets for women (including unisex and gender neutral facilities). No match funding is required.
British Standard 6465-1:2006 specifies that there should be a level of toilet provision which would mean (for example) that a 500-seat auditorium had 8 Ladies’ toilets. This is the minimum required, and they would recommend that applicants refer to Section G1 of the ABTT Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment (Yellow Book). They would encourage applicants to meet the recommendations of Technical Standards where they exceed BS6465.
Projects are expected to be realisable within a year of the award of grant, and applicants will need to demonstrate that this is going to be possible through their application.
Although this scheme is targeted at the under-provision of ladies toilets, they would also welcome applications to improve provision of gender-neutral or unisex toilets.
If you love theatre, I urge you to support Theatres Trust Spend a Penny campaign – they are looking after their national treasure of unique and wonderful theatres for generations to come. Dame Judi Dench