West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has thanked Tenbury people who continue to show their support for town’s theatre as it plans for a busy year ahead.

Tenbury’s historic Regal has been badly affected first by flooding and then Covid-19 when local people hesitated to attend shows and screenings – including the ever-popular panto.

Harriett met with the Regal’s trustees, last week, to talk about ways to support the venue as it plans its revival after shutdowns for large portions of the last 24 months.

The theatre’s management team have been able to access Government support schemes including £116,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund but the latest omicron outbreak has left them worried about the future.

Harriett said:

“The Regal has been at the heart of the town’s cultural heritage for over 100 years and the trustees have ambitious plans to make much more of the asset, but the latest series of cancellations due to omicron have had an impact on revenues.

“Lots of people have been really supportive by rolling over cancelled tickets but the annual pantomime is the venue’s great cash stream, and this has been partly lost again this year.

“I’m urging local people to act now to support the Regal for this year and beyond - book tickets, support an event or just send a donation.

“With work due to start shortly on the flood defences, the future will be rosy, but it will need some extra support this year and I support the new application they have made to the Culture Recovery Fund.

“The trustees are looking at a crowd-funded appeal, and I have agreed to write to the Government to identify other ways that the theatre can be protected in the short-term as it plans for next Christmas.”

Photo: Outside Tenbury’s historic Regal, Harriett Baldwin MP and trustees Julie Porter and Peter Drew.